Forget holiday wish lists, the Michigan Legislature is our gift this year!
By Holly Ellis - TGP Associate Creative Director
It felt like the holidays came early when Democrats finally took the trifecta on Election Day – a majority in the Michigan House, Senate, and a Democratic governor. For the first time in decades, Democratic legislators are in control and the policy goals they’ve championed for so long are in reach. So what’s on our wish list for our leaders this term? We’re asking for gifts that keep on giving, like:
Well-funded public schools and fair pay for teachers. Even with Gov. Whitmer’s historic school funding increase, public schools still face thin budgets and threats of charter schools siphoning away students and tax dollars. Teachers are still paid wages far lower than workers in other industries with comparable education and experience. Public schools are charged with helping every student excel, and they need all the resources they can get. With a Democratic majority, we’re finally in the position to put our public schools first.
Sensible gun safety laws. Enough of the “thoughts and prayers,” Michiganders need solutions to the gun violence that traumatizes our communities and jeopardizes our children’s futures. The Second Amendment protects the general right to bear arms, not the right for every person of any age to purchase and use semiautomatic firearms, large-capacity magazines, silencers, and other tools that belong on the battlefield, not in our neighborhoods. Even gun owners support sensible restrictions like universal background checks, safe storage mandates, and “red flag” laws, so let's harness that support and make changes that keep all of us safer.
Stronger unions and worker protections. “Right-to-work” laws have put employers in the driver’s seat since 2012, but Michigan workers deserve living wages and fair working conditions while they provide the goods and services that keep our society going. Our Democratic legislators must stand up for Michigan’s working families and our economy by ensuring the jobs we attract and create are stable and sustainable.
Real environmental solutions. From stopping corporate pollution and exploitation of our water and natural resources to supporting green industries and addressing the threat of climate change, we want Michigan to lead the way in environmental policies that protect our residents and our livelihoods.
Humane health care. Whether it’s a third party public option or another system that protects families and spurs innovation by guaranteeing a minimum level of care for every Michigander, we need policies that treat health care like a right instead of a privilege. A new, more compassionate legislature can make it happen.
So forget iPhones, Magic Mixies, and the latest Nintendo Switch: our list tackles Michiganders’ top issues and makes life better for everyone. If the newly minted legislature can bring these priorities to life in 2023, we’ll be set on gifts for many seasons to come. Happy holidays!