Tomorrow, Wednesday January 11, marks the opening of the new session of the state Legislature, with the Democrats running the show for the first time in nearly 40 years.
It’s been almost four decades since Democrats controlled both the House and the Senate. And with another Democrat, Gretchen Whitmer, in the governor’s office, a lot of change could be in store.
Democrats’ priorities include raising the state earned income tax credit for low-income families and repealing the state tax on pension income. Both already have Republican support.
But there will be fights if Democrats go ahead with plans to repeal the right-to-work law that allows workers to opt out of paying union dues and the statutory abortion ban, which is already nullified by a new amendment to the state constitution.
But Democrats will be working with slim majorities, two-vote advantages in the House and the Senate. So Whitmer will be looking to make deals with Republicans on many tasks including the adoption of a state budget.
