DETROIT—Michigan Democrats are scrambling in their last month before losing control of the State House to Republicans, 58-52, in January. Bills are on the table now cover public safety, worker protections, and insurance benefits. There are a host of measures that could benefit, or others that could harm working families across the state.
Americans face the uncertainty of rising costs and now, since the last election, the uncertainty of a change in federal power. A recent survey shows, for instance, that three-fifths of voters are worried that Trump “will promote hate and division” from the White House. But several organizations in Michigan are making it clear that it’s not lawmakers, or Corporate America, that should run this state, but the people.
The UAW, for example, issued a letter on November 22 urging the State Legislature to pass legislation that enhances the lives of working families in Michigan. They are demanding that elected officials prioritize fair wages, healthcare, retirement dignity, family time, fighting against corporate greed and influence in politics, and uniting against ”divide and conquer” political tactics.
Leaders in Detroit held a press conference last month to call for Michigan’s legislature to do more for the Black community during the final days of their session. They said that they would “remember” the elected officials who stood in the way of Black policy priorities during the Legislature’s lame duck session. They argued in the press conference that their needs have been ignored.
“You see the mistake that Democrats make: When we have the gavel, we don’t use it,” said Detroit City councilmember, and peace advocate, Mary Waters. “You have to use that gavel right away. That is exactly what Republicans do every single time. You cannot expect Black people and Detroiters to continue to show up for the Democratic Party, you cannot expect that if you are not going to deliver for them.”
They’re demanding a set of policy priorities that include reforming no-fault auto insurance, reforming medical utilization reviews by insurers, repealing the emergency management law, teaching African American history in schools, adjusting payday loan laws, and reforming public safety, law enforcement, and criminal justice.
In September, the Michigan AFL-CIO, the Michigan Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers of Michigan, penned a letter to House Speaker Joe Tate, a Detroit Democrat, and the Democratic Senate Majority Leader, Winnie Brinks of Grand Rapids, calling for lawmakers to not interfere in the Supreme Court ruling Mothering Justice v. Attorney General Michigan State Supreme Court.
Raised minimum wage
This ruling raised the minimum wage, eliminated a subminimum wage for tipped workers, and provided earned sick time for all workers. Under the decision, Michigan’s $10.33-an-hour standard minimum wage will increase by $2.15 next year and reach nearly $15 in 2028, while the state’s tipped minimum wage will gradually move to 100% of the regular minimum wage over five years following 2025.
“We urge you to stand firm in support of these worker gains and reject any efforts to obstruct or undermine them,” the unions’ letter said. “The Legislature should let the court’s decision stand as it is, and continue to lead Michigan towards a future where workers and their families can thrive.”
Labor and progressive organizations are also calling for the passage of Senate Bills 1079 and 1080, which would update the Michigan Workers’ Compensation system to eliminate phantom wages, raise the minimum and maximum benefit amounts, and ensure that insurance companies pay their fair share of claims.
Additionally, they’re demanding crucial reforms to the unemployment insurance system. When compared to other states in the Great Lakes region, Michigan offers significantly lower unemployment benefits and shorter durations, so these organizations are calling for an extension of the number of weeks that an individual can receive benefits—from a maximum of 20 weeks to 26 weeks, and an increase in the weekly unemployment benefit amount. The House passed legislation earlier this year to extend the duration of benefits, and a Senate committee advanced a bill that would both extend the duration and increase the weekly amount.
The UAW and SEIU Michigan joined the Taking Back our Power coalition to urge the Michigan legislature to pass the “Taking Back Our Power” bills (HB 5975/HB 5976 and HB 5520/HB 5521) during the lame-duck session to “defend our democracy against corporate greed by championing crucial legislative reforms.”
These bills target corporate influence in Michigan elections by limiting or prohibiting contributions by giant utility corporations, such as DTE, to the political process. They also limit awarding contracts to entities that donate or contribute to certain political candidates or committees.
Far from a partisan issue, the Taking Back Our Power bills have strong support among all political party affiliations—77% of Democrats, 73% of Independents, and 62% of Republicans. A recent survey found that 86% of Michiganders strongly support prohibiting regulated monopolies and companies seeking government contracts from making political contributions.
“We must prevent regulated monopoly corporations and companies seeking government contracts from making political contributions in Michigan,” the UAW said.
“We are deeply grateful to UAW and SEIU Michigan for their unwavering commitment to defending our democracy against corporate greed and their leadership in rallying labor support behind the overwhelmingly popular Taking Back Our Power legislative package,” the coalition said.
“Their advocacy highlights the urgent need to curb corporate influence in our political system, which has too often drowned out the voices of working-class Michiganders.
“Labor unions have always stood as advocates for justice, dignity, and the rights of working people. With UAW and SEIU Michigan joining this fight, we are stronger than ever in demanding a government that prioritizes the needs of its people over the interests of corporations.”
Labor and progressives are also urging passage of bills for pension benefits to be restored for all state workers, enhancements to state employees’ defined benefit retirement programs, revisions to healthcare contributions for public sector employees, paid family leave mandates, amendments to state voting laws through the Michigan Voting Rights Act, updates to worker safety laws, and a bill seeking to protect reproductive health data.
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