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Tax cuts, civil rights, gun safety, voter protection — just another remarkable week of results for Michigan driven by Democrats in the Legislature. Joining the conversation this week is Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) who is getting results at the federal level on multiple issues directly impacting the people of our state.

Links We Are Following This Week

• Dingell Statement on Transport of Hazardous Waste from East Palestine, Ohio to Belleville | Congresswoman Debbie Dingell
• Detroit VA hospital harmed patients, altered records, investigation reveals – Detroit News
• Eli Lilly caps insulin prices at $35 a month – Axios
• Jack Carpenter accused of threatening to kill Jewish officials in Michigan – The Washington Post
• Michigan lawmakers send Whitmer tax cuts; $180 payments are dead – Bridge Michigan
• Michigan Senate OKs $1.3B spending deal: $630M for Ford battery plant prep – Bridge Michigan
• New Michigan scholarship seeks to fill jobs at state’s EV companies – Bridge Michigan
• Michigan Senate passes bill to protect LGBTQ from discrimination – Detroit Free Press
• Christian and Muslim groups oppose LGBTQ rights bill, call for changes – Detroit Free Press
• New state bills restrict transgender health care — for adults – The Washington Post
• Gun reform proposals receive first hearing in Michigan Legislature – WILX TV
• Michigan House votes to repeal 1931 abortion ban – Bridge Michigan
• Voters Oppose States Censoring Discussions of Racism in Schools
• Obama launches leadership network focused on local civic engagement – The Washington Post
• Dubious Democracy 2022 – FairVote
• Competitive congressional districts decline – POLITICO
• National popular vote for president builds momentum in Michigan | Bridge Michigan
• Finley: Michigan to weigh switch to national popular vote – Detroit News
• Is there any hope for Kristine Karamo as Michigan Republican chair? – The Ballenger Report
• Michigan GOP donor base shrinks as party tilts right, records show – Detroit Free Press
• Conservative group steps in to aid Michigan Trump electors – Detroit News
• GOP election deniers are gaining control of Republican operations – Raw Story
• Ron DeSantis’ War on Freedom – Mother Jones

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FOCUS

First, our focus as Democrats. Some of the pundits look at the new ultra-right-wing Michigan Republican Party leadership team and assume that Democrats have it made – even some prominent Republicans across Michigan are saying it.

We have to maintain FOCUS: focus on organizing at the grassroots level, focus on continuing to recruit the very best candidates, and focus on fundraising to support those candidates. Michigan is still a purple state and we cannot take anything for granted, no matter what’s happening at the state GOP Headquarters. 

And FOCUS also applies to our policy agenda. It’s easy for political candidates to make promises. The challenge is following through, especially on those issues where there’s a fundamental divide between the two major parties.

Here in Michigan, it’s especially challenging because of the razor-thin majorities Democrats hold in the state Legislature: 56-54 in the state House, 20-18 in the state Senate.

Even with those small majorities, Democrats are following through to make campaign promises a reality. The House and Senate have already passed a nearly one-billion-dollar tax cut package focused on working families and retirees. Several other major planks of our campaign are moving quickly through the Legislative process.

We are joined this week by Senator Stephanie Chang, chair of the Senate’s Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee about two major groups of bills: civil rights for LGBTQ+ Michiganders, and badly needed gun safety laws.

This week in the news:

• How Democrats are using their new power in these two state legislatures – Axios
• Democratic Governors Form Alliance on Abortion Rights – NowThis
• 12 states sue FDA to make mifepristone abortion pill more accessible – The Washington Post
• AG Nessel Joins Multistate Coalitions to Defend and Protect Access to Medication Abortion
• Tax deal clears Michigan Senate, but inflation checks remain in limbo – Bridge Michigan
• Michigan lawmaker survey offers glimpse on gun law changes – Detroit Free Press
• Gun bill would require background checks for Michigan rifle, shotgun sales – Detroit News
• Michigan Democrats move to tighten gun rules after MSU shootings – Bridge Michigan
• Slotkin: Gun owners who support reform should contact elected officials – Detroit Free Press
• A guide to Michigan Democrats’ gun safety bills – Detroit Free Press
• Spartan Strong Fund – Financial support for shooting victims
• Good signs for Democrats in Wisconsin, Virginia primaries, special elections – The Washington Post
• Finley: R.I.P., Michigan GOP – Detroit News
• Michigan G.O.P. Installs Kristina Karamo, an Election Denier, as Leader – The New York Times
• Michigan GOP donor base shrinks as party tilts right, records show
• What It Looks Like When the Far Right Takes Control of Local Government – POLITICO
• GOP election deniers are gaining control of Republican operations – Raw Story
• Trump’s grip on the Republican base is slipping ahead of 2024 election – The Washington Post

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We add our voices in support of the MSU community, and especially to the family and friends of the three students murdered and those critically injured the shooting rampage. The response from all corners of Michigan demonstrates that, in this time of tragedy, we are all Spartans.

The carnage at MSU raises, once again, a terrible question: how many more must die? Nationally we are averaging more than 1 mass shooting a day so far this year. In Michigan, Democrats have been fighting for common-sense gun safety legislation for years, stymied by Republicans beholden to the NRA’s lobbyists. With

Democrats now in the majority, our leaders have pledged quick action on gun safety bills which Governor Whitmer has promised to sign.

On this week’s podcast we talk with the state Senator who represents MSU, Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh, about those efforts, along with Democrat-led efforts to cut taxes for Michigan working families and retirees.

Links to this week’s News Stories

• MSU shooting victims remembered: Alexandria Verner, Arielle Anderson, Brian Fraser – The Washington Post
• Twitter: “A survivor of the 2012 Sandy Hook elementary school shooting is a student at Michigan State University
• Michigan Democrats pushed for stronger gun laws before MSU shooting – The Washington Post
• Michigan Senate leader: Lawmakers must ‘meet this moment with action’ – Detroit News
• this:’ Dems vow gun reform | Bridge Michigan
• Laws provided path for MSU gunman to own firearm after conviction – Detroit News
• Statement from President Joe Biden on the Shooting at Michigan State University – The White House

• Ford Taps Michigan for New LFP Battery Plant; Creates 2,500 More New American Jobs | Ford Media Center
• Ford to create 2,500 jobs at new $3.5 billion EV battery manufacturing facility in Michigan – MEDA

• Tax deal clears Michigan Senate, but inflation checks remain in limbo | Bridge Michigan
• Minority Leader Hall, Michigan Republicans Set To Turn Their Backs On Inflation Relief – Michigan Democratic Party
• Who benefits most from tax cut plans from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Republicans? | Bridge Michigan
• Michigan SOS Benson pushes to ban guns at polling places, create Voting Rights Act – Fox 2 Detroit
• National Task Force on Election Crises Report
• Far-right Republican groups surge in swing state Michigan | Reuters
• Fox Stars Privately Expressed Disbelief About Trump’s Election Fraud Claims – The New York Times

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More than 1,600 Michigan Democrats have selected the leadership team for the 2023-24 election cycle.

Chairperson Lavora Barnes was unanimously reelected, and joining her team in Lansing are vice chairs Rep. Jason Morgan and Sen. Erika Geiss. Chairperson Barnes talks with both of them on this week’s podcast.

Also in the news this week —

• Governor Whitmer has sent the Legislature a budget that puts a priority on lowering taxes for working families, investing in Michigan education, and investing in making Michigan the next Silicon Valley.
  
• President Biden’s State of the Union Address has touched a nerve with Republicans by correctly pointing out multiple statements by Republicans calling for cuts and even ending Social Security and Medicare benefits. While the GOP leaders in the House and Senate say it’s not GOP policy, influential members in both chambers are on record calling for the cuts.
• Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services are reminding Michigan consumers to be aware of phishing text messages that claim their EBT benefit cards are locked. The message includes a phone number to call for help. Responding to these messages may allow scammers to access the card’s funds.
• There are still more Republican scandals in Lansing. This time, the investigations are into former House Speakers Rick Johnson and Jason Wentworth.

Democratic Party State Convention

• Michigan Democrats take a victory lap at convention, reelect leader – mLive
• Michigan Democrats reelect party chairwoman Lavora Barnes

Whitmer Budget

• Gov. Whitmer Announces Fiscal Year 2024 Budget: Building a Brighter Future
• What Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to fund in $79B budget 
• 5 highlights of Whitmer’s record-setting state budget plan
• Whitmer, Dems want ‘inflation relief’ checks for all taxpayers
• Michigan inflation relief checks may be in jeopardy, even as tax cut passes
• Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pitches 9 percent boost in Michigan school spending
• Democrats, out of power for decades, passing bills in record time in Lansing 
• Whitmer laid out talent attraction plan in annual address
• What you may have missed in Whitmer’s budget recommendation
• Civil rights department would grow by one third under Whitmer budget

Whitmer’s Lowering MI Costs agenda

• U.S. Automakers Aim to Make Detroit the Next Silicon Valley
• Michigan Democrats seek to codify LGBTQ civil-rights protections
• businesses
• UPDATE: Michigan fights back attacks on LBQTQ+ students
• Trump vows to use DOJ and Congress to make being transgender illegal while promoting the ‘nuclear family’
• The College Board Just Watered Down Its New AP African American History Course
• The College Board Strips Down Its A.P. Curriculum for African American Studies
• DeSantis targets state college for overhaul with new conservative identity
• DeSantis trolls with ‘tax-free gas stove’ proposal — there’s just one big problem with that – Raw Story

State of the Union

• Biden Lays Down Economic Challenge to House Republicans in State of the Union Address
• Opinion | Biden’s State of the Union shows he is no punching bag – The Washington Post
• GOP’s John Thune Sees US Debt-Ceiling Hike as Vehicle for Budget Cuts – Bloomberg
• House Republicans eye Social Security, Medicare in debt limit fight
• Republican House Conservatives Threaten Debt Limit Default to Cut Social Programs
• Entitlement, Spending Cap Plans Linked by GOP to Debt-Limit Deal

GOP Crime Watch

• State officials indicate a criminal investigation is underway into Sen. Bumstead
• Insider: Wentworth-linked nonprofit spent $137,000 on travel
• Marijuana group quietly gave cash to Michigan lawmakers’ nonprofits
• Feds investigate ex-House Speaker Johnson for bribery in pot licensing
• FBI raids pot lobbyist’s home in bribery probe involving ex-Speaker
• ‘Dark money’ nonprofit at center of yet another Lansing scandal
• The crimes Trump or his allies could be charged with in Fulton County (Georgia)
• Trump campaign paid researchers to prove 2020 fraud but kept findings secret

Presidential Primary

• Democrats Overhaul Party’s Primary Calendar, Upending a Political Tradition
• Michigan’s move to early primary state brings potential economic boon

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The Legislature session is off to a fast start with Democrats taking immediate action on several of Governor Whitmer’s top priorities: job creation, tax cuts for working families, and moving Michigan to the head of the line in the presidential primary calendar.

Chairperson Lavora Barnes reports this week from Philadelphia just minutes after the wrap-up of the Democratic National Committee’s winter meeting.

Links for More Information on this week’s political news

• Democrats, out of power for decades, passing bills in record time in Lansing | Bridge Michigan
• Whitmer, Dems want ‘inflation relief’ checks for all taxpayers – Detroit Free Press
• From Twitter: Record speed as the Legislature starts the 2023-24 session
• Good-bye Iowa! Democrats approve Biden’s revamped primary calendar – Reuters
• Democrats Overhaul Party’s Primary Calendar, Upending a Political Tradition – The New York Times
• Michigan’s move to early primary state brings potential economic boon – Detroit News
• Michigan Democrats seek to codify LGBTQ civil-rights protections | Bridge Michigan
• Trump vows to use DOJ and Congress to make being transgender illegal while promoting the ‘nuclear family’ – Raw Story
• Employers added 517,000 jobs in January, surprisingly strong growth in the labor market – The Washington Post
• Michigan GOP in turmoil as leaders navigate tricky Trump terrain – NBC News
• RNC urges Republicans to double down on anti-abortion laws. – Slate
• State officials indicate a criminal investigation is underway into Sen. Bumstead ⋆ Michigan Advance
• Feds investigate ex-House Speaker Johnson for bribery in pot licensing
• ‘Dark money’ nonprofit at center of yet another Lansing scandal – Detroit Free Press
• Democrats want House investigation into Rep. Daire Rendon’s role in voting machine probe – MLive.com

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Welcome to a preview of Party On the Peninsulas with Lavora Barnes, your weekly update on the Democrats and Democratic policies leading Michigan’s future. Each week we’ll have three primary segments:

• A quick summary of important developments in Lansing, Washington DC and across the state (along with links for more information on those stories)
• An update from the Chair of the Party, Lavora Barnes
• An interview with a top Democrat from Michigan and the nation

We welcome your comments – just email us at comments@partyonthepeninsulas.com.

This week’s links

• Governor Gretchen Whitmer State of the State 2023 – YouTube
• Gretchen Whitmer State of the State: Tax cuts, gun reform, expand pre-K | Bridge Michigan
• 5 takeaways from Michigan Gov. Whitmer’s State of the State speech | Detroit News
• Gretchen Whitmer: Expand Michigan Reconnect program for community college | Bridge Michigan
• State of the State: Whitmer urges ‘immediate’ tax relief, gun reforms | Detroit News
• Whitmer in State of the State calls for tax cuts, gun safety | Detroit Free Press
• GM to invest close to $1B in 4 US factories, 2 in Michigan
• Debate over speed of tax cut looms over Whitmer’s State of the State
• Michigan lawmakers OK tax cuts for 1M residents, $1.1B spending plan | Bridge Michigan
• Michigan Senate votes to move up presidential primary, but GOP may thwart plan | Bridge Michigan
• Michigan Democrats move to strike abortion ban references from state law | Bridge Michigan
• In Michigan, Democratic women are rising. Now some are weighing a Senate run | The Washington Post
• Inside the Early Elbowing for Michigan’s Open Senate Seat | The Daily Beast
• Nessel to reopen investigation into fake electors scheme | Michigan Advance
• Michigan Biden electors sue false Trump slate | Detroit News
• Opinion | How Democrats can take advantage of GOP’s ‘weaponization’ subcommittee | The Washington Post