House Democratic leader: No more 'hands-off-the-wheel' style when Dems take control

LANSING — Conservative lawmakers at times herald legislative inactivity, arguing the avoidance of new bureaucracy or regulations is a win for democracy.

But during her last day in Lansing as Michigan House Democratic leader, Donna Lasinski said it's clear her Republican counterparts' recalcitrance to act on any number of issues cost them the majority this midterm election.

Don't expect new Democratic leaders to make the same mistake, she said.

"There has been a 'take-your-hands-off-the-wheel, just criticize the governor's approach' for the last four years. I believe the people of Michigan reacted to that during this legislative session," said Lasinski, D-Scio Township, of Republican legislative leadership during a media roundtable on Wednesday.

"As we look at the number of days met, or just the willingness to hold open committee meetings, the willingness to bring forth people into the process (of lawmaking), I absolutely believe that you will see a different approach to that."

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It might take a few weeks for Democrats to familiarize themselves with leading committees when they return to Lansing in January as the party in control of both legislative chambers. But by March and April, Lasinski predicted committees would debate potentially sweeping legislation long atop the Democrat's priority list.

She specifically mentioned a few ideas that she said shouldn't be a surprise to voters:

Repealing the 1931 abortion law

Lasinski repeatedly noted the Michigan Constitutional amendment guaranteeing the right to an abortion garnered strong support from Michigan voters this fall. While that measure likely nullifies the 1931 law that criminalized most Michigan abortions, Lasinski said it's imperative lawmakers remove it from the books. "That was not a political strategy, that is a value that we have had as women, as members of the Democratic caucus and as the people of Michigan...that was a fundamental, human rights issue," Lasinski said.

The fact the state needed lawsuits and a constitutional amendment to ensure such a law could not take effect means legislators should more broadly examine other laws deemed antiquated that may suddenly have relevance again if a court reverses long-standing precedent, she said. She mentioned an old Michigan law about people living together outside of marriage, while other Democrats have talked about repealing a currently invalid 1996 law banning same-sex marriages.

Economic development

Michigan provided hundreds of millions of dollars in incentives, tax breaks and other enticements to businesses during Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's first term. Lasinski repeatedly noted that could not have happened without the support of the vast majority of the Democratic caucus, as a handful of GOP lawmakers frequently opposed the taxpayer-funded deals.

Republicans are also looking at these deals in the future; on the final day of the legislative term, soon-to-be House Republican Leader Matt Hall, R-Comstock, said Whitmer scuttled a late-night deal to provide $200 million for a project in the state. But Democrats pushed back on that argument. Next year, Lasinski argued, Michiganders will see more of these incentive deals, thanks to the support of the Democratic majority.

"When we had the opportunity to bring thousands of good-paying jobs to Michigan, to grow thousands of strong union membership, it was Democrats who pushed those proposals over the line," Lasinski said.

Transparency and ethics

Lasinski said her first bill unanimously supported in the House was a measure establishing new open records requirements for lawmakers. The legislation died in the Senate − as did most similar bills in recent years. But with Democrats at the helm, Lasinski predicted a new focus on transparency and governmental accountability.

"I think we can look forward to more transparency, and there have been public statements on that by the incoming speaker and by the governor," Lasinski said. "How they choose to do that will be up to them, but I know that they both named it as a priority."

Departing House Speaker Jason Wentworth, R-Farwell, also pledged to increase trust in government through ethics reforms. That never materialized − at least in part because of the Senate − but Lasinski argued it was also due to willful inactivity.

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House Democrats repeatedly called on Wentworth to launch an internal investigation after criminal allegations surfaced of sexual and financial impropriety by former Speaker Lee Chatfield. Wentworth recently said he held off on launching a third-party investigation at the request of Attorney General Dana Nessel.

Not reviewing Chatfield's conduct was one of several ethics failures, she argued. Others include never creating a bipartisan ethics commission and declining to examine the role House lawmakers may have played in the so-called "fake electors" scheme following President Joe Biden defeating former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election.

She expects there could be a commission in the future, and the House may still examine what happened under Chatfield's leadership during the next term.

Logistically, there are other changes that can help Michiganders understand how their government operates. Frequently, multibillion-dollar budget bills are approved without any discussion in open committees. Lasinski acknowledged voting several times for measures without having the time to review the hundreds of pages of materials accompanying the legislation.

She predicted new House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, could change that process. Tate served on the House Appropriations Committee in the past and is well aware of the perils of presenting such huge proposals to the minority party at the last minute, Lasinski said.

"We have had an open, collaborative style of working with representatives. We have engaged all of our representatives in every single thing in committee hearings, bringing forth our ideas openly in committee hearings to be voted up or voted down," Lasinski said. "I don't anticipate that style of leadership to change."

Other topics she expects to come up include bolstering gun background checks, expanding safe gun storage laws and revisiting the state's right-to-work law.

Whatever changes do occur, Lasinski won't be around to see them, at least not in the same capacity: She could not seek re-election to the House due to term limits. While she had the chance to run for a state Senate seat, Lasinski said she decided instead to pursue a Democratic House majority.

There were moments when Lasinski said she and a handful of others were the only people who thought the party had a shot. But now, looking back, it's an achievement she said will always make her proud.

The former business leader said she wouldn't rule out a return to Lansing, now that a newly approved constitutional amendment opens the door to more terms in the House or a Senate bid. But for now, Lasinski said she's ready for something different.

She won't miss the drive to Lansing or the peach curtains in her office. But the capacity to help people in such a broad, meaningful way won't be easily replaced in her life, she said.

Contact Dave Boucher at dboucher@freepress.com or 313-938-4591. Follow him on Twitter @Dave_Boucher1.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: House Democratic leader: No more 'hands-off-the-wheel' style