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From the chair …
The safety and security of all of Michigan is at the heart of much of what has happened in Lansing since Democrats took charge in January. This week, the Governor added to that record, signing into law legislation allowing the courts to temporarily remove weapons from persons deemed to pose a major public safety threat, including those cases involving domestic violence. It adds to new laws already enacted requiring universal background checks and requiring safe storage of weapons. These are laws that were blocked for years by Republican legislatures who were held captive by the NRA and gun manufacturers but quickly enacted by our new Democratic legislature.
The Governor’s budget recommendations, now being finalized in the Legislature, include funding for improving security at our schools. And the latest efforts to increase our personal security were outlined this week – bills providing resources for local police to deal with the underlying causes of crime as well as give police greater resources to fight crime in our neighborhoods.
Joining us to discuss how Democrats in the Legislature are working with our local leaders to make our communities safer is Lansing’s dynamic Mayor Andy Schor. Now in his second term, Mayor Schor is a former member of the Michigan House of Representatives. Lansing was the first city in Michigan to add a social worker to its police department, something that was controversial when Mayor Schor did it … but has turned into a major success.
Mayor Schor began his public service career as a member of the Ingham County Board of Commissioners. As both a legislator and county commissioner he represented the same area once represented by former commissioner and legislator Debbie Stabenow!
Stories We’re Following This Week
Michigan politics and policy
- Speaker Tate, Reps. Farhat and Shannon Unveil Plan to Address Public Safety and Violence Prevention – housedems.com
- Whitmer signs Michigan’s red flag law; AG calls out defiant sheriffs – The Hill
- Gov. Whitmer Signs Extreme Risk (Red Flag) Protection Order Legislation to Keep Michigan Communities Safe – Executive Office
- How firearms could be confiscated under Michigan’s new ‘red flag’ law – Detroit News
- AG Nessel Joins Coalition Supporting Federal Restriction Prohibiting Handgun Sales to Individuals Under 21 – Attorney General’s Office
- Michigan inked $25M grant without vetting ex-aide to House speaker, ex-convict – Bridge Michigan
- Whitmer repeals letter grade rankings for public schools – Detroit Free Press
- Michigan Democrats vote to give teachers more say in classroom placement – Bridge Michigan
- Commission accuses lawyers who tried to reverse 2020 election of misconduct – Detroit News
- AG Nessel Sues Avid Telecom Over Illegal Robocalls – Attorney General’s Office
Voting Rights and Candidates
- Pamela Pugh enters race for Michigan’s open US Senate seat
- GOP state lawmakers try to restrict ballot initiatives, partly to thwart abortion protections – AP News
- Ahead of 2024 election, several states overhauled voting laws – The Washington Post
- Voting rights advocates worry Indiana law will disenfranchise voters – Indianapolis Star
- Biden maintains edge over Trump in 2024 US election – Reuters/Ipsos poll
- DeSantis announcement news: Elon Musk’s Twitter Spaces crashes ruining Florida governor’s 2024 campaign launch – The Independent
- Russia bans 963 Americans, including Biden, Harris, Morgan Freeman but not Trump – The Washington Post
The Culture Wars
- Florida school restricts Amanda Gorman’s ‘The Hill We Climb’ poem – The Washington Post
- Transgender Mississippi girl misses graduation after judge’s ruling – Reuters
- Abortion to be included in Michigan anti-discrimination law – Bridge Michigan
- Indiana abortion doctor violated privacy laws, medical board rules – Indianpolis Star
- Nebraska passes 12-week abortion, gender-affirming care for minors ban – The Washington Post
- South Carolina Senate passes 6-week abortion ban, sends bill to governor – The Washington Post
- Judge blocks South Carolina 6-week abortion ban for Supreme Court review – The Washington Post
- North Carolina Senate overrides governor’s veto of abortion ban – The Washington Post
- Texas legislature votes to ban transgender care for children – The Washington Post
- A look at transgender restrictions moving forward in the US – AP News
- Why Republicans Are Targeting Professors’ Job Security – FiveThirtyEight
- Michigan Senate passes bill banning discrimination of natural hair