Happy Sunday folks!
The 102nd Michigan Legislature officially opened for business Wednesday, Jan. 11, which has Lansing buzzing with renewed energy as lawmakers and their staff settle in for the new term.
As a reminder of the historic moment, Wednesday’s session was used to solidify leadership roles, which meant swearing in the first Black House speaker, Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit, and the first woman to be Senate Majority Leader, Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids.
In both chambers, party leaders spoke about the need for bipartisan collaboration that will benefit Michiganders and move the state forward.
Unusual enough, the House session began with Tate confirmed as speaker in a 102-8 vote. Only Republicans, many of whom were part of the House’s far-right Freedom Caucus, voted against the move.
The first pieces of legislation under the Democratic majority began to trickle in the following day, which included an expansion of Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include protections for LGBT people, repealing the state’s “right-to-work” laws and nixing Michigan’s 1931 ban on abortion.
With that being said, there’s plenty of Michigan political news for readers to catch up on this week, so let’s get into it. Here’s a quick rundown of the top stories you may have missed:
Michigan projects $9.2 billion surplus, possible income tax cut
State treasury officials estimate Michigan government will see a $9.2 billion surplus at the end of this fiscal year, increasing the likelihood that all that cash could trigger a permanent cut in the state income tax.
The announcement came after the Consensus Revenue Estimating conference Friday, Jan. 13 in Lansing. The projections, which include forecasting from the Senate and House fiscal agencies and Department of Treasury, estimate Michigan will bring in $32.4 billion in revenue for 2022-2023 year, a 1.9% decline from revenue in 2021-22.
The size of the surplus, as well as the likelihood of a tax cut being triggered, is of particular interest to legislative Democrats.
Democrats announced their plan Thursday, Jan. 12 focused on two major, long-time policy issues: Raising the state’s Earned Income Tax Credit – being referred to along the lines as a tax credit for working families – to at least 20% and rolling back a tax on the pensions of retirees.
“This is our opportunity to do right by the people of Michigan,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer at Thursday’s press conference. “This is an opportunity for us to show that the things we said we’re going to do here? We’re going to get them done.”
This comes on the back of House Republicans releasing their own tax plan, which they claim would benefit more retirees across Michigan and have retroactive component so that filers could apply for relief in the 2022 tax year.
Kamala Harris zeroes in on climate justice in Ann Arbor
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at Rackham Auditorium in Ann Arbor on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com
The health of the planet and its people took center stage during Vice President Kamala Harris’ visit to Ann Arbor.
Harris joined Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and University of Michigan professor Kyle Whyte in a conversation on the climate crisis Thursday, Jan. 12, at the university’s Rackham Auditorium.
The vice president described the momentum of environmental advocacy as being spurred by both optimism and crisis.
“When I think about the shoulders upon which we stand and where we have arrived, I think we should all take note of the momentum we have achieved and our responsibility, now sitting in these chairs in this moment, to then continue with this moment and lead, and not waste a minute because we don’t have a minute spare.”
The three covered environmental justice, emerging technology and a clean energy economy as it relates to the state and the country during their discussion in front of about 1,000 audience members from the academic, political and environmental world.
Does a ‘true Republican’ belong in Michigan’s GOP anymore?
In a story published Thursday, MLive’s state House Reporter Jordyn Hermani spoke to former GOP representative Scott VanSingel about the current condition of the Michigan Republican Party, to which the traditional, long-time conservative said it’s become something he no longer recognizes.
During his last term in office, an activist base was taking the reins in the Michigan Republican Party, putting up far-right, conspiracy-touting midterm candidates like Matt DePerno for attorney general and Kristina Karamo as secretary of state.
This is especially relevant given the bolstering of groups like Ottawa Impact, which recently supported county commission candidates now under scrutiny for overhauling nearly everything about how the area functioned.
It’s left people like VanSingel, who doesn’t believe the 2020 election was stolen and can’t endorse a new emphasis on vitriolic personal rhetoric, feeling without a home.
“It’s just insulting to see what’s happened in the last cycle or two, where people like me – and there’s millions of us that are in the same scenario – are told you’re not welcome in this party. You’re not a true Republican,” he said. “And I still keep trying to figure out what is the definition at this point. It continues to evolve and move.”
With a roll of the dice, Michigan begins audit of 2022 election
Over the next month, state and local election officials will audit Michigan’s 2022 general election, checking the accuracy of results and security of procedures.
These more than 200 audits across counties, cities and townships will see Bureau of Elections staff and county clerks review ballots and election administration in randomly selected precincts and identify best practices for future elections.
Auditing results and procedures is a regular function after statewide elections. Audits can also lead to improved training, procedures and laws for future elections.
Upcoming local audits will be open to the public, and residents can contact their city, township or county clerk for more information. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s office will publish the list of jurisdictions to be audited when it is finalized.
The Bureau of Elections expects all audits to be completed by Feb. 17. Results will be shared with the Board of State Canvassers in a public meeting.
Read more from MLive:
Michigan presidential electors sue 2020 Trump false electors
If you’ve somehow evaded COVID infection, XBB.1.5 is likely coming for you
No Michigan counties at highest COVID risk level this week, CDC says
Should TruGreen get a tax break that historically has gone to farmers?
Can the formerly incarcerated get a second chance in Michigan?
