With democratic control, Michigan Gov. Whitmer pushes for health care and climate change laws – By Joey Cappelletti (Associated Press) / Aug 30, 2023
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer gave an outline of Democratic plans for the final months of the year in a speech Wednesday that included calls for funding paid family and medical leave, mandating a 100 percent clean energy standard and codifying protections ensured by the Affordable Care Act.
The second-term Democratic governor highlighted her policy priorities during a “What’s Next Address,” following the first half of 2023 that saw the party roll back decades of Republican measures while implementing its own liberal agenda.
“What’s next on the fall agenda for Michigan is: the health of our people; the health of our planet; the health of our economy; and the health of our democracy,” Whitmer said Wednesday in Lansing.
Lawmakers are set to return to the state Capitol Sept. 5 after a two-month summer break. Michigan is one of the few states with a full-time legislative session and Democrats are looking to take advantage of every minute with control of the state House up for grabs next year.
