(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/30/2023) Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called for a 100% clean energy standard, a drug affordability board to flag expensive pharmaceuticals, a paid family leave policy, and state regulation of the siting of solar farms and wind turbines, during a new "What's Next?" address Wednesday morning.
Speaking before a receptive audience of Democratic legislators, the Governor also proposed repeal of Snyder-and Engler-era abortion restrictions, the state codification of the federal Affordable Care Act, and streamlining the state's permitting process.
Whitmer didn't mention whether or not the length of the fall session would be shortened to about nine weeks so the law creating a Feb. 27, 2024 presidential primary could take effect.
Instead, she closed her 23-minute address by testing out a couple of new inspiring locker room lines that may be heard again.
Speaking to the Democratic majority's accomplishments up to now, Whitmer said: "Let's tell the world Michiganders are known for our kindness and humility. We got a lot done, but we are not the best at telling our story.
"Today, that ends. Today we go from just believing in Michigan to bragging about Michigan."
The Governor described Michigan as having personal freedoms, economic opportunities, Great Lakes, majestic forests, growing small towns, grit, and grace.
"We have it all," Whitmer said. "So, let's tell the story because we're Michiganders, dammit. And there's nothing better than that."
This first mini-State of the State address was delivered a couple blocks from the Capitol at the Lansing Shuffle, an indoor food court and community entertainment center overlooking the Grand River.
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Attorney General Dana Nessel and U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn) were present, along with Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, Wayne County Executive Warren Evans, and around 50 Democratic legislators.
MIRS spotted two Republican legislators in attendance -- Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington) and Rep. Nancy Deboer (R-Holland) They sat together. Green said Republican lawmakers were invited, but he ended up needing to ask a news reporter the exact location of the event. (Edited 8/31/23, 8:29 a.m. The Governor's office said they have verification that they sent Rep. Green the location of the What's Next speech ahead of time.)
According to Green, he appreciated the Governor's love for Michigan but was concerned that her "Lansing-heavy approach" may handcuff locals from creating the type of community they believe they need to bring in economic development.
Whether it's putting the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) in charge of siting wind farms or creating streamlined state permitting, Green wasn't sure a "Lansing, top-down approach" solves anything.
"Let our locals, let our residents . . . figure out life instead of forcing them into one-size fits all," Green said.
Behind the scenes, there's a healthy cynicism about how many of these weighty subjects Democrats can reasonably tackle in a condensed time frame and whether the Governor will call a special session after Thanksgiving to tackle a few of them.
Legislative leaders dodged the subject when asked directly about it. Possibly, a bigger question that won't be answered immediately is: how much of a priority will the governor's agenda be for the House and Senate? Following the governor's speech, the Democratic legislators celebrated all they passed (much of which was low-hanging fruit) during the spring session. But the question remains: what's going to happen this fall? And also -to what extent will they use the governor's priorities as leverage to advance their own?
Meanwhile, the mood among legislative Democrats is positive, even though the takeaways from Whitmer's speech were as varied as its content.
Hackel said he was interested in streamlining the state permitting process to help economic development.
Evans said he liked how the governor blended economic development and healthcare issues.
Benson said she liked that the governor gave a nod toward election integrity and the “health of our democracy.”
Dingell said she liked that the governor mentioned the Affordable Care Act (ACA) because it reminds the public that they need to re-enroll for health care if their coverage was dropped when the emergency enrollment period for COVID ended.
Michigan Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Jim Holcomb said "It's nearly impossible" to see how some of the concepts the Governor laid out advance her vision of growing Michigan's population while "building a stronger, thriving state for all."
Two days prior, Michigan Republican Party Chair Kristina Karamo said in a video message that "Michigan is ground zero for the globalist takedown of the United States of America." She argued that the World Economic Forum was rooting itself in Michigan and the United Nations is trying to implement its "Agenda 2030" in Michigan.
Against this message, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes was almost speechless when comparing the conspiracy "rabbit hole" Republicans are concerned about with the plans the governor is making on how to improve Michiganders' lives.
"I'm shocked by that -- To watch the Democrats focus on historic achievements while Republicans wander off to the extremist side," Barnes said. "House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo) and other members of the party need to ask themselves if they're going to be a part of these conspiracies or if they're going to step up and help us make Michiganders' lives better."
