Newly selected Democratic leaders in the Michigan Legislature, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (far left) and House Speaker Joe Tate (far right), Governor Gretchen Whitmer, and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II applauding. Photo courtesy of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office
By Rina Risper, TNCPNEWS
LANSING, MI – Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s 2023 State of the State Address on January 25th, highlighted her commitment to supporting children, and youth, and reducing costs for Michigan families. With Democrats in control of both the Michigan House of Representatives and the Michigan Senate, they will have the ability to pass legislation without the need for Republican support. This is the first time since 1982 that Democrats have held control of both chambers of the legislature in Michigan.
Governor Whitmer said, ”And it feels even better to be making history. I am honored to stand between Speaker Joe Tate and Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. Both are firsts—the first Black Speaker and the first woman Majority Leader. They will certainly not be the last.”
She introduced a plan called “Lowering MI Costs,” which consists of three parts: rolling back the retirement tax, expanding the Working Families Tax Credit, and providing Pre-K for All. She emphasized that the retirement tax repeal is expected to save 500,000 households an average of $1,000 a year while expanding the Working Families Tax Credit is expected to deliver at least $3,000 refunds to 700,000 families. Pre-K for All is expected to save families an average of $10,000 a year and provide a great start for every 4-year-old in Michigan.
Governor Whitmer emphasized the importance of lowering costs for Michigan families, especially during a time of inflation, and called for quick action. She said that working together would provide more financial support for working families, which can help to reduce poverty and increase economic mobility. The federal and state tax credit for low- to moderate-income workers, and expanding it could help to offset the cost of living and provide an incentive for people to work.
In addition, Governor Whitmer also proposed new tutoring and after-school programs for K-12 students. These programs can help to provide additional support for students who need it and can help to improve academic outcomes for children and youth. After-school programs can also provide a safe and engaging environment for children and youth to spend their time when school is not in session.
Governor Whitmer requested to continue to fund the bipartisan Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which lowers the cost of college by thousands of dollars for most students, both private and public, and makes college tuition-free for 65 percent of graduating seniors. She requested the continuation of funding for apprenticeships and initiatives that put nearly 200,000 Michiganders in tuition-free college or vocational training, helping them access high-paying union jobs.
Michigan Reconnect is a bipartisan program that offers anyone 25 and older a tuition-free associate’s degree or skills training. Over 113,000 Reconnectors have been accepted, and we want that number to grow. She supported taking steps to lower the age for the program from 25 to 21. Governor Whitmer also spoke about the affordable housing tax credit gap financing program that would likely help to increase the supply of affordable housing, which is a pressing issue in many parts of the country.
Another issue that Governor Whitmer addressed was repealing “ Michigan’s extreme 1931 law banning abortion.” She mentioned that there were other dangerous laws prohibiting people from accessing reproductive health care and restricting who they can marry needs to be repealed.
The expansion of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act was mentioned to protect individuals so they can’t be fired or evicted because of who they are or how they identify.
Governor Whitmer also mentioned issues surrounding economic growth, retirement tax, safety, and education. She made an appeal to the current Legislature to work together to pass the proposals and provide relief to Michigan families.
The change in leadership after 40 years, is likely to have a significant impact on the state’s political landscape and policy priorities. For example, with Democrats in control, it’s more likely that they will be able to pass legislation related to issues that are important to them such as healthcare, education, and environmental protection that may have been blocked by Republicans in the past.
Additionally, Democrats are likely to have more influence over the state budget and may prioritize spending on programs such as infrastructure and social services. Governor Whitmer is a Democrat, which means that the party will have control of all branches of state government. This could potentially make it easier for them to pass their policy agenda, but there’s also the possibility that it could lead to conflicts between the different branches of government and the Republican legislators. Since the State of the State, the House passed a repeal of the Pension Tax (House Bill 4001) and an expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit (House Bill 4002). They also passed Senate Bill 8, a supplemental education budget bill and they sent Senate Bill 7 back to the Senate with some changes. Senate Bill 7 is a much larger supplemental budget bill.
Representative Angela Witwer, Senator Sarah Anthony, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and House Speaker Joe Tate, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer signing Senate Bill 7.
Photo courtesy of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s office
Update:
On January 31, 2023, Governor Whitmer joined Lieutenant Governor Gilchrist, Senate Majority Leader Brinks, Speaker of the House Tate, and members of the Michigan Legislature to sign Senate Bill 7 into law which will invest in building affordable housing, revitalizing communities, and supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs.
This signing marks the earliest a bill has been signed in a new term since 1947. The supplemental invests $150 million in the Housing and Community Development Fund to build and refurbish housing and revitalize downtown areas across the state. This funding will allow Michigan to build or refurbish 2,000 housing units, house 6,000 Michiganders, and create 1,600 good-paying construction jobs.
It will also fund the Missing Middle Housing Program which specifically aims to build and rehabilitate properties for middle class families. This bill will provide $100 million in Revitalization and Placemaking Grants to turn underutilized office, commercial, and community space into places for people to enjoy, including affordable housing, outdoor dining areas, or other place-based spaces.
The supplemental delivers $75 million to SmartZones, 20 regions across our state where technology companies, entrepreneurs, and researchers are in close proximity to one another and organizations that help them succeed.
