Michigan Democrats Rush to Pass Legislation Before Losing Trifecta

The Michigan state Capitol is bustling as legislators push through the final days of the 102nd Legislative session. With the Democratic trifecta slipping away in 2025, Democrats are racing to pass legislation before the year’s end. This period, known as lame duck, is marked by flashes of legislative action amidst long stretches of waiting, socializing, and informal gatherings.

During this time, closed-door party caucus meetings become the norm, where lawmakers and staff discuss and prioritize bills and amendments. The atmosphere in the Capitol is often relaxed, with people lingering and speculating about what will be accomplished.

One lobbyist remarked, “Things that aren’t on the agenda will show up. Things that are on the agenda will be ignored,” highlighting the unpredictable nature of this period. A key topic of discussion is road funding, although consensus suggests that a comprehensive deal remains unlikely.

Incoming House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp.) is proposing a plan to reallocate $1.2 billion from Michigan Corporate Income Tax to road infrastructure, urging Democrats to negotiate before they lose their majority. There is talk of a potential “grand bargain” that could tie road funding to amendments concerning Michigan’s minimum wage and sick leave policies.

The Senate is holding an unusual Friday session to advance work for the House to tackle. Meanwhile, the issue of petition circulators and their compensation is drawing attention, with legislation proposed to ban per-signature payments. Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) has been advocating for this change, citing increasing instances of deception by circulators.

Moss explained, “Every cycle, we hear the same problems over and over again: petitioners lying to people and using deceptive tactics to lure people in and get them to sign their petitions.” The proposed legislation, already passed by the Senate, now awaits a House vote.

What we’re talking about at the dinner table

Every vote matters: In a recent recount, Republican Steve Frisbie confirmed his narrow victory in Michigan’s 44th state House District by 79 votes, helping to shift party control of the state House. The recount underscores the importance of every single vote.

KMR goes national: Kristen McDonald Rivet’s election win in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District has drawn national attention, particularly from The New York Times. Her victory, in a district that leaned towards Donald Trump, highlights her effective campaign strategy.

Year-in-review: 1A host Jenn White reflected on the past year’s major stories during the 1A Quiz of the Year, challenging listeners to recall significant events from 2024.

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Yours in political nerdiness,

Rick Pluta & Zoe Clark

Co-hosts, It’s Just Politics

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IJP on the road

This week, we concluded our final It’s Just Politics Issues & Ale event of the year at Founders Brewery. Capitol reporter Colin Jackson and political reporter Clara Hendrickson joined us to discuss the lame duck session and future Michigan politics. Thank you, Grand Rapids!