The WØRD – “Focus”
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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
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.
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: