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From the chair
“Cleanup”
It has been a big part of the work for both the Biden administration and the state Legislature: cleaning up messes left behind by the Trump administration, and a Republican state legislature that had turned a blind eye to many of the needs of Michigan families.
Our new Democratic Legislature has restored a pro-family, pro-worker agenda after decades of Republican-led legislatures that tilted the scales towards the wealthy.
And now, our Legislature is working to make up for years of GOP neglect on the most important issue facing humanity: climate change. While Republicans are vowing to turn back the Biden administration’s pro-planet anti-climate change initiatives, Michigan Democrats are focused on contributing to solutions to save the planet. Although the solutions ultimately require the cooperation of every nation, there’s a lot one state can do as part of protecting the planet.
We’re joined on the podcast by a leader in the battle against climate change, Representative Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), chair of the Appropriations Environment, Great Lakes and Energy Subcommittee.
News Stories We’re Following This Week
Climate Change
- A Republican 2024 Climate Strategy: More Drilling, Less Clean Energy – The New York Times
- U.S., European heat waves wouldn’t happen without climate change, study says – The Washington Post
- July’s heat waves, high ocean temperatures shows extreme weather to come – The Washington Post
- July is already the warmest month on record, scientists calculate – AP News
- July keeps sizzling as Phoenix hits another 110-degree day and wildfires spread in California – AP News
- Heat Is Costing the U.S. Economy Billions in Lost Productivity – The New York Times
- Florida seawater hits hot tub level and may have set world record – AP News
- Whitmer signs energy bills to advance Democrats’ climate goals – Detroit Free Press
- Federal infrastructure, clean energy spending is powering the economy and lifting GDP – The Washington Post
- Michigan tart cherry growers are quitting, cutting down trees – Detroit News
Michigan Politics and Policy
- Michigan unemployment rate continues downward trend in June – MI Dept of Management, Technolocy & Budget
- Judge Dismisses Case Seeking to De-Certify 2020 Presidential Election
- DePerno, Rendon charged in Michigan voting machine probe – Detroit News
- Pro-Trump attorney is third indicted in Michigan vote machine probe – Bridge Michigan
- Another clerk says he was asked to allow access to voting equipment – Detroit News
- Adrian’s human relations group in hot seat amid LGBTQ+ rights push – Detroit News
- Michigan school districts in rural, suburban areas ban pride flags – Detroit Free Press
- Michigan <nearly broke!> GOP pays $100K to Grand Hotel for Mackinac conference – Detroit Free Press
- Delayed permits could see fees waived under new Whitmer directive – Detroit Free Press
National Political and Policy
- Voters Place Good Jobs, Expanded Clean Energy, and Lower Costs at the Heart of the Bidenomics Agenda- Data for Progress
- Economy adds 187,000 jobs in July, in strong but moderating growth – The Washington Post
- July 2020 Jobs Report – Bureau of Labor Statistics
- A manufacturing investment supercycle is starting – Axios
- Biden Shores Up Support, but Faces Tight Race With Trump, Poll Finds – The New York Times
- Trump Plans to Expand Presidential Power Over Agencies in 2025 – The New York Times
- Federal unions bash DeSantis for calls to start ‘slitting throats’ in agencies – The Washington Post
- Republicans Reframe 2024 as a Race Versus Harris – Not Biden – The Messenger
- Trump pays millions in legal fees, aides allegedly asked about loyalty – The Washington Post
- I investigated tax crimes. Hunter Biden’s plea deal was fair – Slate
- Hunter tried to sell family name but Joe Biden never talked business, says ex-associate – The Washington Post
- Opinion | House GOP’s new agriculture bill is bad news for families – The Washington Post
- Federal judge blocks Arkansas law allowing librarians to be criminally charged over ‘harmful’ books – AP News
- Florida bans Advanced Placement Psychology course in high schools – The Washington Post