Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:10 — 31.0MB)
From the Chair
While assorted Republicans are getting booked, arraigned, found liable for slander and generally spending millions on defense attorneys, Joe Biden and Gretchen Whitmer are talking about “what’s next.” For Biden – what’s next is a battle with pharmaceutical companies over prices; for Whitmer – an ambitious “families and workers first” agenda for a fall legislative session.
The first half of the year was historic: a legislative session that passed a dozen major laws, all of which contribute to a future Michigan that is more prosperous, works to protect our planet from the ravages of climate change and expands the individual rights of our citizens. Last week Governor Whitmer took the unprecedented step of laying out an agenda for the fall session to do even more – her “what’s next” agenda.
Legislative Republicans responded as expected: arguing for maintaining the status quo or even moving backwards.They called it a “left-wing, progressive” wish list; one Republican leader said taking steps to combat climate change would turn us into a “third world country” unable to compete for jobs.
The bottom line is Michigan Democrats have delivered historic results for our state and are not done fighting for our future. This legislative agenda is laser-focused on making Michiganders’ lives better, with or without Republicans who continue to fall down a rabbit hole of MAGA extremism. Whether it’s improving health care, fighting climate change, or growing the middle class, what Michigan Democrats are doing is unprecedented. Democrats’ work is setting the standard for the country while ensuring that everyone can make it in Michigan.
In Washington D.C., it’s the same story. While Republicans focus on defending the former President’s crimes, staging hyped-up investigations, and even talking about impeaching President Biden just for revenge, the President is locked in on a better future for Americans.
Just this week he announced his latest effort on our behalf: taking on the powerful pharmaceutical industry by negotiating the price Medicare pays for life-saving prescription drugs. There is no justifiable reason Americans pay four times more for prescription drugs than is paid in Canada: the exact same pills, a much higher price.
Thanks to the Biden Inflation Reduction Act the price of insulin is being slashed to no more $35 a month. Now President Biden is expanding the ability of Medicare to negotiate drug prices to 10 more commonly used prescription drugs.
Joining the podcast this week: a Michigan legislator who is part of the new wave of self-described Suburban Moms who are a growing political force in Michigan and across the nation, Troy state Representative Sharon McDonell.
News Stories We’re Following
State Politics and Policy
- Gov. Whitmer Delivers What’s Next Address, Proposing 100% Clean Energy Standard, Paid Family & Medical Leave, Lower Health Care & Prescription Drug Costs, Protections for Reproductive Health, and Election Security Measures – Governor’s Office
- Whitmer’s Michigan agenda: Paid leave, abortion access, clean energy – Detroit Free Press
- Nessel weighs in on new Michigan education department – Detroit Free Press
- After local pushback, Michigan Dems seek state oversight of green energy – Bridge Michigan
- Activist files legal challenge to disqualify Trump from 2024 presidential race in Michigan ⋆ Michigan Advance
- How Trump’s Election Lies Left the Michigan G.O.P. Broken and Battered – The New York Times
- A Michigan and Georgia voting machine breach connection? – Detroit Free Press
- Trial ordered over how Michigan’s redistricting treated Black voters- Detroit News
- Gov. Whitmer Announces Operation Safe Neighborhoods Reaches New Milestone with More Than 450 Illegal Guns Off the Street – Governor’s Office
- AG Nessel Secures 55% Reduction in Consumers Energy’s Gas Rate Increase – Attorney General’s Office
- AG Nessel Helps Secure Nearly 50% Rate Hike Reduction in Public Service Commission Settlement with Natural Gas Provider – Attorney General’s Office
- AG Nessel Seeks to Reduce Consumers Energy’s Electric Rate Increase Request by Approximately $150 million – Attorney General’s Office
- Long-simmering battle over public health comes to a head in Ottawa County – Bridge Michigan
- Prosecutor says 3 men accused in plot to kidnap Michigan Gov. Whitmer wanted to start a civil war | AP News
National Politics and Policy
- Biden Administration Unveils First Drugs for Medicare Price Negotiations – The New York Times
- Voters Reject Policies Proposed at First Republican Debate and Don’t Think Trump’s Absence Hurt His Chances- Data for Progress
- Opinion | When I Tell You Nikki Haley Is Pathetic, That’s an Understatement – Frank Bruni/The New York Times $$$
- Opinion | Their hands said it all: GOP hopefuls trash the trial by jury – Ruth Marcus/The Washington Post
- The Confusing State of Legal Challenges to Bans on Transgender Healthcare – Mother Jones
- Vivek Ramaswamy says ‘hoax’ agenda kills more people than climate change – The Washington Post
- DeSantis’ New Insurance Law Could Make It Harder to Rebuild After Hurricane Idalia – Mother Jones
- GOP silences ‘Tennessee Three’ Democrat on House floor for day on ‘out of order’ rule; crowd erupts – AP News
- A new ballot measure would dramatically reform redistricting in Ohio. Here’s how it would work – Daily Kos
- ACLU sues Indiana over law banning gender-affirming surgery in prison – IndyStar
- Judge Allows Missouri’s Ban on Youth Gender Medicine to Take Effect – The New York Times
- Actually, Hunter Biden Is Getting It Worse From the DOJ – NY Magazine