Whitmer's fall policy agenda leaves questions on what's next for Michigan Democrats' bills

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week delivered a "What's Next Address" setting out big-picture goals for the fall, but questions remain over the details of the policies she's promoting as Michigan lawmakers return to Lansing.

During her speech, Whitmer tried to galvanize lawmakers to move on a slew of policies, including paid family and medical leave, establishing a new clean energy standard and removing policies abortion rights proponents have long said put up barriers to abortion access. Many of the ideas promoted by Whitmer already exist in legislation, but it's unclear whether the governor backs those specific bills or will put forward an alternative vision.

On key policy aims, the governor did not provide specifics on what she'd like to see lawmakers accomplish. But Democratic lawmakers have already put forward bills touching on many of the items on Whitmer's agenda.

May what ultimately lands on the governor's desk match or exceed the scope of those initial proposals?

Whitmer's office declined to answer questions from the Free Press concerning how many weeks of paid leave the governor supports and whether she backs Democrats' 2035 deadline for a 100% clean energy requirement for utilities.

"As with any policy, we will work with anyone who wants to work with us to make sure we develop the best solution that is right for our state," said Whitmer press secretary Stacey LaRouche in a statement. "Governor Whitmer looks forward to bringing together the legislature to put Michigan families first and make their lives better."

Democratic legislative leaders said details for paid leave and clean energy were still being worked out. House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, told reporters that deliberations are ongoing on both fronts. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, acknowledged that Democrats have already taken a stab at their own proposals. "Some of this stuff was already part of our agenda that we have been working on," she told reporters after Whitmer's speech.

At least one Democratic lawmaker who has sponsored the paid leave and clean energy legislation said he's not too worried that lawmakers could ultimately pass less ambitious bills.

"It just means that we've got more work to do, but it's incremental steps," said state Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit. "We didn't get here overnight."

Democrats secured control of both chambers of the state Legislature for the first time in 40 years, and they've wielded that power to move quickly to enact policies that languished under GOP control. "Do not slow us down," McKinney said he tells voters. "Give us another shot at another trifecta. Guarantee we'll be able to get more done."

Paid family and medical leave

Whitmer said in her speech that workers shouldn't have to face financial hardship for taking leave to care for a newborn or aging parent. "No one should have to choose between being there for their family and a paycheck," she said.

Democrats in the state Senate and House have introduced identical bills to establish a 15-week paid family and medical leave law. If enacted, it would be one of the most generous paid leave policies in the U.S.

The legislation proposes a formula for workers to receive partial pay during the period of leave, setting the maximum weekly benefit rate at 65% of the state average weekly wage.

It would require payroll contributions to finance the program at a contribution rate set by the director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

Nine of 20 Democrats in the state Senate and over half of Democrats in the state House have sponsored the legislation.

A clean energy standard

Whitmer also called on lawmakers to pass a series of environmental policies. "Michigan is going to be a destination for people seeking safe water, clean air and opportunity. We will also, however, continue to face extreme weather events caused by climate change," she said.

The Whitmer administration's MI Healthy Climate Plan unveiled in April last year has a goal of achieving 100% carbon neutrality economy-wide by 2050 and calls for legislation adopting a renewable energy standard of 50% by 2030. She called for putting that plan into action in her speech Wednesday. Whitmer didn't say in the speech whether she backs Democratic lawmakers' call for a 2035 deadline for setting a new 100% clean energy standard, but Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II previously expressed support for it.

A bill introduced in the state Senate would require that 100% of Michigan's energy comes from renewable sources by 2035. A bill introduced in the state House would require utilities to use 100% carbon-free energy by 2035. A majority of Democratic lawmakers have sponsored bills setting a 2035 deadline for the proposed clean energy standard in their respective chambers.

Whitmer said in her speech that expanding clean energy would save Michigan families $5.5 billion in household energy costs between now and 2050. A recent report calculated those energy savings by assuming Michigan's electricity would be generated from 100% carbon-free sources by 2035.

The timeline

Whitmer's office characterized the speech as an outline of the governor's priorities for the fall and beyond. In her address, Whitmer stated specifically that before the end of the year, she wants lawmakers to pass legislation repealing certain abortion regulations and codify into state law protections in the federal Affordable Care Act.

But asked whether the items on Whitmer's wish list Democrats have expressed support for can be crossed off within the governor's timeline, Tate expressed uncertainty. He said that one thing is clear: there's a lot of work to do. "We also know that we have to understand what the timeline is and what our capabilities and limitations are," Tate said.

Two state representatives running for mayor this fall could temporarily cost Democrats their majority in the state House, possibly narrowing the path for passing Whitmer's agenda. Tate did not rule out adjourning the legislative session by early November, a schedule that would cut down the number of days to craft legislation but put into effect a bill shifting the presidential primary to February and some other bills Whitmer signed into law. "Our focus at the end of day is what can we get done, not the number of days that we have," Tate said.

Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Whitmer backs Dem bills in concept, questions linger over details