2023 Michigan Democratic priorities

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed laws on background checks and safe storage, and will soon sign a red flag law. Democrats say they are now looking to limit large-capacity magazines and hold gun manufacturers liable for gun violence.

Some 51,000 people could benefit from plan from Democrats, but fierce opposition expected from Republicans.

Democrats’ sweeping climate change package, to be unveiled Thursday, is among a host of proposals to boost green energy and cut back on fossil fuels.

Democratic lawmakers and Michigan’s housing development authority are seeking a policy change that would allow developers to use tax increment financing for affordable housing projects. Supporters say it could help increase housing stock at a time when affordable options are in short supply.

With complete control of governance, Democrats passed a raft of liberal bills within their first 100 days. Republicans are annoyed, sounding much like Democrats from years past. Now comes the hard part.

Democratic lawmakers in the state house have introduced legislation that would establish 18 as the minimum age for marriage Currently there is no minimum age for marriage in Michigan under the law

Transparency advocates are queuing up public records expansions previously blocked by Senate Republicans. It could take a few months.

Democrats move to eliminate a school quality ranking system that they claim is redundant. Supporters say the system offers parents a different lens to see how schools are performing.

Many Michigan residents are still without power following last week’s ice storm. Democrats are chastising utility companies for not providing automatic reimbursements to consumers impacted by power outages.

Vote mostly along party lines would nix requirements that third graders behind in reading repeat the grade. Democrats say it didn’t work; GOP said it didn’t have a chance to.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s efforts to provide tax relief to Michigan residents includes a proposal to send $180 checks to residents who filed taxes in 2022. Republicans call it a gambit to avoid providing longer-term tax relief.

From free school lunches and community college to water line improvements and subsidized field trips to Michigan’s state parks, the Democrat outlines her wish list. It could look very different once it’s approved.

The Democratic governor now has a Democratic Legislature and a giant budget surplus to pursue education priorities, including individualized tutoring, universal pre-school and other progressive policies.

The study results are in: Michigan may consider toll roads. But at a Senate hearing on Tuesday, lawmakers quizzed the firm behind the study on who would most heavily bear the cost.

In her Wednesday budget presentation, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will propose new spending to expand preschool eligibility, hire more teachers and boost transportation funding to help 4-year-olds attend.

Literacy, tutoring and preschool are among priorities in Whitmer’s education budget proposal, according to details emerging ahead of Wednesday’s release, all topics thought to have at least some Republican backing.

Some Democratic lawmakers see a bill to declare a human right to water as a first step toward broader efforts to end the water shutoffs that plague low-income Michiganders.

The governor’s proposed budget will call for continuing $9,600 stipends for student teachers and $10,000 scholarships for education majors. But her budget plans for 2024 is a small fraction of last year’s ask.

Governor and Democratic legislative leaders say ‘inflation relief checks’ could be coming soon to all Michigan taxpayers. Whitmer also plans to expand Earned Income Tax Credit.

Newly in power, Michigan Democrats are advancing a bill to protect against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.