2023 Michigan Democratic priorities

Democrats ‘came out of the gate just at a full sprint,’ and didn’t let up in 2023, passing a slew of priorities, says Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids. Next year may be a different story.

‘We'll look back and say this is probably the most productive year we've ever seen,’ House Speaker Joe Tate says. Republicans politely disagree.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is speeding expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit by mailing refunds to lower-income households that qualified for the credit in the 2022 tax year.

The Legislature is expected to adjourn for the year on Tuesday, so 67+ bills will take effect 91 days later on Feb. 13, including changes to abortion rights, pension taxes and gun regulations.

The Democratic-led Legislature is adjourning after fulfilling much, but not all of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s fall agenda. Lawmakers passed energy and abortion reform but fell short on sick leave and drug affordability.

Two House Democrats are vacating their seats for local mayoral positions after election victories Tuesday. Their departures will, at least temporarily, strip Democrats of their two-seat majority.

The latest Lunch Break event featured elected leaders from both parties discussing the 2023 legislative session’s biggest successes and failures.

The latest Bridge Michigan Lunch Break event will feature legislative leaders from both parties discussing 2023’s legislative accomplishments, and whether the Democratic leadership has acted on 2022 campaign promises.

Democrats pass their first budget since taking over the Legislature, spending down a $7 billion surplus and largely adopting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s priorities. Republicans call plan bloated.

In Democrats’ first education budget, lawmakers directed more funds to schools with disadvantaged students as the state tries to recover from pandemic learning loss. There is also more investment for English language learners and special education.

Like their Republican predecessors, Democrats plan plenty of pork projects. But they also are adopting rules to reform the process, including disclosure by Sept. 30, 2024.

Priorities or pork? Democrats add 150 earmarks to state budget. They say they’re more transparent than Republicans, but the process still includes few specific details about projects.

Flurry of Democratic legislation also includes mandatory lead testing for young children, alcohol sales inside college stadiums and reforms to prevent child abuse.

Democrats say a 2018 law barring state rules that are stricter than federal regulations undercuts state regulators’ ability to address pollution issues. Business groups fear repealing the measure could have unintended consequences.

In a set of union-backed bills, Democrats would give teachers a stronger voice in the classes they teach, and would make evaluations subject to bargaining. Superintendents say the bills would put union seniority ahead of what’s best for students.

The Michigan Senate version of the school aid budget passed Thursday on a 20-17 vote, a day after the House approved its version.

Legislation would also bar employers from other discrimination, such as discipline or denying promotions or benefits due to abortion. Republicans argue the bill infringes upon religious freedom.

Michigan teachers will no longer be evaluated based on student test scores under legislation being prepared by Democratic leaders. Critics say the current system should be tweaked, not scrapped.

Lawmakers say they still plan to fix public records laws. Transparency advocates say there’s plenty to be done.

A trio of Democratic lawmakers are seeking to update the state’s anti-hate crime law with an expanded definition of hate crime and enhanced penalties. The law has not been updated since its establishment in 1988.