Michigan Legislature Returns from Summer Recess to Begin Fall Session
The Michigan Legislature is set to end its summer recess and return to Lansing on Wednesday to begin its fall session. During the first part of the session, Democrats used their new House and Senate majorities to push through several pent-up priorities. However, there are still some agenda items that Democrats would like to address, including repealing certain abortion restrictions and passing laws to combat climate change.
One of the key issues on the agenda is repealing abortion restrictions that remain on the books in Michigan. Democrats believe that these restrictions are unnecessary and infringe upon women’s reproductive rights. They hope to make progress on this issue during the fall session.
Another priority for Democrats is addressing climate change. They want to pass laws that will help Michigan transition to clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This is in line with their commitment to combatting climate change and protecting the environment.
In addition to these priorities, the Legislature will also be focusing on other important issues. The Senate agenda for this week is relatively light, but the House has some bills to wrap up and send to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for approval. These include setting the minimum age to get married at 18 years old and restoring local school districts’ ability to set their own calendars without seeking state permission to start classes before Labor Day.
House Speaker Joe Tate, a Democrat from Detroit, acknowledges that there is a lot of work to be done before the Legislature wraps up for the year. While some things may have to wait until 2024, Tate emphasizes the importance of understanding the timeline and the Legislature’s capabilities and limitations.
The exact duration of the fall session and the Legislature’s adjournment date is still uncertain. However, it is worth noting that the timing of Michigan’s presidential primary could be affected by when the Legislature adjourns. This is an issue that will be closely watched as the session progresses.
Overall, Democrats are eager to continue working on their agenda and making progress on important issues that impact the lives of Michiganders. Senator Stephanie Chang, a Democrat from Detroit, expressed her commitment to getting as much done as possible and making a difference for the people of Michigan.
As the Michigan Legislature reconvenes for its fall session, it remains to be seen how much progress will be made on key issues such as abortion restrictions and climate change. However, one thing is clear – there is a lot of work to be done, and Democrats are determined to make a difference.
Original Story at www.michiganradio.org – 2023-09-06 00:13:00
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