Guns, labor, civil rights on Dems’ wish list
Lawmakers to consider proposals upon return
Michigan Democrats sped through their major policy priorities during their first three months of controlling the state Legislature for the first time in nearly 40 years.
In many ways, the big ticket items turn back the clock, reversing changes Republicans enacted when they held power in Lansing.
Democrats essentially reversed former Gov. Rick Snyder’s tax overhaul. They repealed the right-to-work law Republicans passed amid massive protests a decade ago and reinstated a prevailing wage law requiring union-level wages and benefits for statefunded construction projects that GOP lawmakers repealed in 2018. Democrats also expanded the state’s civil rights law to explicitly bar discrimination based on sexual orientation as well as gender identity and expression.
They now await Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature on bills to repeal the state’s 1931 abortion ban and expand background checks for firearm purchases, two measures the governor is expected to approve.
When lawmakers return from their spring break next week, they could take up a number of policies already introduced. Or, as Democratic legislative leaders settle on their wish list, some Democrats may see their proposals sidelined.
Here’s a look at some of the proposals Democrats have introduced in key policy areas.
Gun safety
In addition to universal background checks, a “red flag” law to empower courts to take away guns from those deemed dangerous and safe storage requirements to keep guns out of the hands of children, Democrats have introduced several other gun safety measures:
House Bills 4203 and 4204 would raise the minimum age for purchasing firearms from 18 to 21.
House Bills 4127 and 4128 would ban firearms at or near polling places, absentee ballot counting boards, early voting sites and ballot drop boxes.
House Bill 4211 would establish a 14-day waiting period between purchasing a firearm and obtaining the weapon.
House Bill 4198 would allow Michigan municipalities to ban the open carry of firearms within their jurisdictions.
Labor
After repealing Michigan’s right-to-work law allowing workers in unionized jobs to not pay union dues or fees, Democrats could advance other big labor changes:
House Bill 4034 would create a new “temporary laborer rights act”
House Bill 4035 would establish new requirements for employers to give at least a two-week notice to workers laying out their
work schedules and requirements aimed at making workers’ schedules more predictable.
Senate Bill 140 would require employers h to disclose their family policy to potential employees before making a hiring offer.
Senate Bill 143 would bar employers h from requesting noncompete agreements from low-wage workers.
Expanding civil rights and protections from discrimination
Democrats could also further expand the state’s civil rights law with several bills:
Senate Bill 90 would expand a ban on racial discrimination in housing and employment to include “traits historically associated with race,” including hair texture and styles such as braids, locks and twists.
House Bill 4327 would expand ethnic discrimination to include antisemitic conduct and communication.
House Bills 4062 and 4063 would prohibit landlords and real estate brokers from discriminating against current or prospective tenants based on sources of income.
Lawmakers will return to Lansing for their first legislative session day next Tuesday following a two-week break.
Clara Hendrickson fact-checks Michigan issues and politics as a corps member with Report for America, an initiative of The GroundTruth Project. Make a tax-deductible contribution to support her work at bit.ly/ freepRFA. Contact her at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen.