LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Michigan’s state legislature is back in session for the new year. The lawmakers met today with what would have been an equal number of Democrat and Republican representatives, but House Republicans remained behind closed doors during today’s session, none signing in before the role call closed.
Republican leaders in the House are calling for a shared power agreement, which Democrats say isn’t necessary. According to House rules adopted last January, Democrats remain the majority party, even with the 54-54 split in the House.
Even with disagreements over sharing power, both parties said they are ready to work on legislation together to continue the work they started last year.
Speaker of the House, Joe Tate, said he thinks there will be opportunities to continue to lower costs and look at prescription drug costs specifically as they also begin to work on a budget for the 2025 fiscal year, which starts in October 2024.
There was a short agenda for the first day back in the House. The representatives passed just one resolution, without the presence of most of the Republican representatives, before adjourning for the week.
With last November’s elections, two Detroit seats remain vacant, to be filled with a special election in April. Until then, the House is split, 54 Democrats to 54 Republicans. Speaker Tate said The parties always have their discussions, debates, and disagreements, but all want the same thing in the end.
Minority leader Matt Hall released a statement saying that House Republicans are here and ready to get to work despite “Democrat leaders choosing to ignore the shared power resolution”
Outside of the resolution, there is a long list of priorities for the new year. U.P. Representative Jenn Hill said that she’s looking forward to the work being done in committee, and making progress on the budget.
“We’re going to be building another great budget coming up in June, so that’s something that just builds over time with different subcommittees. There’s a lot of great work that happens there.” Hill said. “I’m Vice Chair of Natural Resources. We’re going to be talking about water issues, and land issues. There are a lot of important things happening there.”
Both chambers of the legislature are expected to go back to a normal schedule starting next week. The lawmakers have several bills introduced last year to continue work on, and more in progress surrounding clean energy, lowering gun violence, and lowering costs for Michiganders.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer will be laying out her priorities for the legislature this month as well, WZMQ will be broadcasting Michigan’s State of the State address at 7 pm on Wednesday, January 24th, with coverage on your 19 News at 11/10C.
