Michigan's two Democratic senators have so far defied their party and refused to vote to pass a series of bills that the left had hoped to force through in the waning days of 2024.
For now, Democrats enjoy “triple control” of Michigan's House, Senate and governor's office. With Republicans set to take control of the House of Representatives next month, Democrats had hoped to pass some related legislation. gun controltax increases, and other pet projects of the left, but they would need every single Democratic vote to make it happen, or hope for some crossover with Republicans.
So far, state Rep. Karen Whitsett and state Sen. Sylvia Santana, both Detroit Democrats, have refused to play ball.
Whitsett vowed to stay home instead of traveling to Lansing to vote Wednesday. “I'm home for my constituents,” she said. “We are not going to vote for a trash bill that does nothing and negatively impacts our community.”
Santana makes a similar statement. “I will not be there to vote in favor of the governor's corporate welfare policies while Democrats ignore priorities that affect urban communities,” Santana said. detroit news By text message. “We have supported a progressive agenda, but the black community's agenda was put on hold until the final hours of TRI-fecta.”
“I've never seen a lame duck like this.”
Santana wants to draw more attention to several criminal justice measures.
Rep. Whitsett seems particularly concerned about protection. tipped employees restaurant hall staff, etc. If lawmakers don't do anything, the base hourly wage for tipped workers in Michigan, currently sitting at $3.93, will increase gradually over the coming months and years, reaching $15 by 2030. Although their hourly wages will increase, tips are expected to decrease as restaurants increase food prices to offset the additional labor costs.
Whitsett also wants to develop a plan to address water costs and fund state roads. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was first elected in 2018 primarily on a promise to “fix the state's poor roads,” which are more dilapidated than roads in surrounding states. One suggestion is build a toll roadthe idea was accepted, but mixed reviews.
Whitsett's determination and House Republicans' refusal to appear in Congress on Tuesday prompted left-leaning Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel to threaten them with criminal charges.
“Article IV of the Michigan Constitution defines the role of the Legislature and how it is constituted. The Legislature's primary purpose is to enact new laws and to amend or repeal existing laws.” Nessel he posted. facebook on wednesday. “What Congressman Whitsett and MI House Republicans chose to do today is literally criminal.”
Technically, House Speaker Joe Tate, another Detroit Democrat, has the power to “convene the House,” which allows him to force all absent members to the floor. He can even force the police to escort intransigent members against their will. But he has not yet exercised that privilege and appeared reluctant to do so last week.
State Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) says the state Republican Party is not daunted, despite threats from a “complete partisan hack” like Nessel's and a possible “House phone call” from the speaker. told Blaze News.
“We are solid,” he said. “We're not going to give them the vote.”
Runestad told Blaze News that the bill Democrats are trying to pass during the lame-duck session was introduced without first passing out of committee, making it potentially “devastating for Michigan residents.” He explained that it was a possibility. Still, he said Democrats “don't care at all.”
“I've never seen a lame duck like this on a more tossed-off bill with absolutely no scrutiny,” said Runestad, who was first elected to the Senate in 2018 after two terms in the state House. “It's just a guy in a back room, an activist, typing up bill after bill and throwing them on the floor, amendments that no one reads.”
“No one reads the bill,” he continued. “That's why we can't respond to that.”
Runestad expects the session to be suspended if Santana and Whitsett hold out for a few more days.
This isn't the first time Whitsett has publicly defied Democrats. Last year, she refused to vote in favor of reproductive health legislation unless it included a provision requiring a 24-hour waiting period before women can obtain an abortion.
“I don't think it's too much to ask when someone is going to end their life. They need 24 hours to feel confident that this is the decision they want to make. 24 hours is not an excessive amount of time.” she told the gathering. As Blaze News previously reported,
Whitsett also angered Democrats in 2020 when she met with President-elect Donald Trump during his first term in office. That meeting and kind words about Trump prompted her fellow Democrats to vote to censure her.
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