Michigan Republican leaders will continue ‘political gestures’ to lift COVID-19 restrictions
Updated Jan 28, 2021;
Posted Jan 28, 2021
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey speaks while House of Representative speaker Jason Wentworth listens during a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2020 in Lansing. Nicole Hester/Mlive.com
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LANSING, MI - It’s great that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer promoted a “spirit of cooperation” during her State of the State address, said House Speaker Rep. Jason Wentworth, R-Clare, during a Thursday press conference.
But she needs to prove to Republicans that she means it, he said alongside Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clark Lake, at a press conference Thursday.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has set special elections to fill a pair of vacant state senate seats.
The former holders of the 8th and 28th state senate seats won elections to other offices in Kent and Macomb counties in the November election.
The 8th Senate District seat was previously held by Peter Lucido, who was elected as the Macomb County Prosecutor.
The Michigan’s 28th Senate District seat was previously held by Peter MacGregor, who was elected as the Kent County Treasurer.
To fill out the remainder of their terms, the governor has scheduled special elections. There will be primaries in both districts in August, with the winners to be decided in November.
Michigan Executive Office of the Governor
LANSING Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced the dates for special elections to fill vacancies in the 8th and 28th Districts of the Michigan Senate. A special primary election to fill the vacancy will be held on Aug. 3, and the general election will be held on Nov. 2.
“The 8th and 28th Senate Districts deserve representation in the legislature, and voters will have an opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box in the August 3rd primary and the November 2nd general election,” said Governor Whitmer. “Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and I remain committed to ensuring fair and secure elections that reflect the will of the people, and I look forward to working with her to ensure the people of Michigan have a voice in Lansing.”
New bills, chilly relations define first week of 101st Michigan Legislature
Updated Jan 15, 2021;
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LANSING, MI - In some ways, the first day of the 101st Michigan Legislature followed the normal script.
Lawmakers approved House and Senate rules and took their oaths of office. Republican leadership outlined legislative priorities. Rinse and repeat from the 100 sessions before it.
What set apart Wednesday’s start to the new session was an immediate call from the minority party for censures, unseating and overall punishment towards Republican lawmakers who challenged the 2020 presidential election results.
Here’s a summary of this week’s start to the 101st Legislature, from those speeches and resolutions from Democrats to the first slew of bills introduced.