New Year, New Legislature

New Year, New Legislature

Happy New Year! Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has officially started her second term. 

Her annual State of the State Address will be held on January 25th. During her 2023 State of the State address, Governor Whitmer will lay out her plans to tackle the challenges Michiganders are facing right now. Her proposals will lower costs, make Michigan more competitive, expand opportunity, and protect people’s fundamental rights. Together, they represent the future and will move Michigan forward. 

How to watch:

·       Local TV Channel  

·       Online at michigan.gov/StateOfTheState

·       Facebook   

·       YouTube

Historic Legislation Introduced on the First Day of the 102nd Legislature

The new Democratic majority rang in the new year by proposing a handful of bills that Democrats have had their eyes on for years. The following bills were introduced:

• Repeal retirement tax on Michigan seniors (Rep. Angela Witwer & Sen. Kevin Hertel)
• Increased Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) ( Rep. Nate Shannon & Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet)
• Expansion of Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include anti-discrimination protections for sexual and gender identity (Rep. Jason Hoskins & Sen. Jeremy Moss)
• Restore prevailing wage law (Rep. Brenda Carter & Sen. Veronica Klinefelt)
• Repealing "Right to work" policy (Rep. Regina Weiss & Sen. Darrin Camilleri)
• Repeal the 1931 statute that criminalizes abortion care (Rep. Laurie Pohutsky & Sen. Erika Geiss)

New Leadership for Committees in the House & Senate

With the new majority and new legislature, leadership has announced who will be leading committees this year. There are 42 committees and 14 subcommittees. Here are a few of the new Committee Chairs that are important to NASW-Michigan:

Senate

• Appropriations: Sen. Sarah Anthony

• Civil Rights, Judiciary, & Public Safety: Sen. Stephanie Chang

• Health Policy: Se. Kevin Hertel

• Housing & Human Services: Se. Jeff Irwin

House

• Appropriations: Rep. Angela Witwer

• Criminal Justice: Rep. Kara Hope

• Families, Children, & Seniors: Rep. Stephanie Young

• Health Policy: Rep. Julie Rogers

• Insurance & Financial Services: Rep. Brenda Carter

To view the full list of Senate Committees and their rosters, click here.

To view the full list of House Committees and their rosters, click here.