Area GOP critical of state Legislature’s early holiday departure
Dems say recess allowed important legislation to take immediate effect
The state Legislature recessed for the year on Tuesday, Nov. 14, more than a month earlier than usual, over the objections of Republicans, who wanted to remain in session until late December.
The state House rejected a plan by state Reps. Donni Steele, R-Orion Township, Tom Kuhn, R-Troy and Jamie Thompson, R-Brownstown Township, to keep the Legislature in Lansing until late December.
“I drive to Lansing swerving potholes and hearing from local residents tired of blackouts and failing schools,” Steele said.
“Those are all issues I’ve been trying to fix since I was elected, but the majority has blocked our plans at every turn. Adjourning nearly two months early instead of working through complex issues and oversight is a complete waste of state resources. We need to stay here and do the people’s work.”
Kuhn agreed.
“House Democrats apparently want a part-time legislature with full-time pay,” he said. “House Democrats want to ignore important issues facing our communities and take an early Christmas holiday. But state lawmakers earn their wages by doing the people’s work, not sitting at home watching Christmas movies. If anyone else
stopped showing up to work, they wouldn’t just stop receiving pay, they would be fired.”
Democratic leaders said they adjourned early to ensure that several pieces of new legislation will take immediate effect.
“Simply put, adjourning the legislative session now means that Michiganders can soon start reaping the benefits of the life-changing agenda that Democrats championed over the past year,” said Michigan Democratic Party Chairwoman Lavora Barnes, in a statement.
“This includes the efforts to move the presidential primary up — which was a big win that ensures the voices of Michiganders are heard loud and clear and the primary process is truly representative of what America looks like,” she said.
“Not to mention, as a result of being an early primary state, we will see enormous injections of cash into hospitality industries, local media and more, providing a boost to our economy.”
The presidential primary election will be held Feb. 27 in Michigan.
The Michigan Democratic
Party said in a statement that its state legislators delivered on issues that Michiganders care about most, including defending reproductive rights, lowering costs for the middle class, improving health care and creating clean energy jobs.
Democrats held majorities this legislative session in both the state House and Senate. The House is now at a 54-54 deadlock between the two parties, as two Democrats won mayoral races in the Nov. 7 election and resigned from the Legislature.
Special elections will likely be called over the next few months to replace Kevin Coleman, who will soon be sworn in as Westland mayor, and Lori Stone, Warren’s new mayor. Both of their districts favor Democrats.
Republicans remained critical of what they called a long vacation for the Legislature.
Thompson said legislators should not be paid a full-time salary for the remainder of the year.
“Less work, less pay. Taxpayers shouldn’t be on the hook for the extended vacation Democrats have decided to award themselves,” Thompson said. “People I represent are struggling. They want their life to be more affordable, and they want their representatives to address the high costs of groceries, health care and electricity. There’s still work to get done. If legislators aren’t willing to work, they shouldn’t get paid.”
The state Legislature won’t reconvene until after the new year.