Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will deliver a “What’s Next Address" that will outline her policy priorities for the second half of the year
LANSING, Mich. — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday will outline Democratic plans for the final months of the year after a first half of 2023 that saw the party roll back decades of Republican measures while implementing their own liberal agenda.
The second-term Democratic governor's policy priorities, which will be outlined during a “What's Next Address," include a call for paid family and medical leave, a 100% clean energy standard and the codification of protections ensured by the Affordable Care Act, according to her office.
The governor’s speech comes as lawmakers are set to return to the state Capitol Sept. 5 after a two-month summer break. Michigan is one of the few states with a full-time legislative session and Democrats are looking to take advantage of every minute with control of the state House up for grabs next year.
Michigan Democrats hold a “trifecta” — control of the state House, state Senate and the governor’s office — for the first time in nearly 40 years and passed numerous long-sought measures in the first eight months of the year, including a 11-bill gun safety package and the repeal of a right-to-work law.
Whitmer has delivered a “State of the State” address at the start of each year, as most governors do, but her Wednesday speech ahead of the second half of the legislative session will be a first. Democrats passed nearly every measure that Whitmer called for at the beginning of the year and her speech this week could once again provide a roadmap of what's ahead.
Her speech will include a call to further protect reproductive rights in Michigan as
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