LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Democrats are scrambling in Lansing to move on priorities as the window on their trifecta closes, while Republicans are looking ahead to January when they take over the House.
Several groups are at the Capitol hoping to sway lawmakers during the lame-duck session.
Moms Demand Action is lobbying for proposals to ban ghost guns and bump stops.
“Over 3.5 years (ago), my son, who was 17 at the time, was shot in the head through the eye with a ghost gun by his 17-year-old friend who ordered a kit online and put it together in less than 30 minutes. He had hoped that the chamber was empty, and unfortunately, it was not,” Moms Demand Action advocate Denise Wieck said.
The group “We Can’t Wait” is advocating for changing Michigan’s auto no-fault reform laws, which have impacted care for accident survivors.
“Since 2019, people that are injured are not getting the care they need. They cannot find agencies that will take them. We had one member of our group that called 63 companies and once they knew she had auto no fault, they refused to provide care because they can’t afford it.” said Maureen Howell from We Can’t Wait.
Democrats have had control of both chambers since 2022. That will end in about a month.
Now Democrats are figuring out what can be accomplished in the lame duck session that likely won’t make it through a Republican-controlled House next year
“A lot of important legislation about workers’ rights, women’s rights, and gun safety issues that are really important to us that we hope to get through as soon as possible,” said Rep. Sharon MacDonell D-Troy.
Republicans are prioritizing legislation that could get bipartisan support.
“I’m from the middle of Macomb County. We are estimating over $2 billion is needed to fix the roads in Macomb County alone let alone the rest of the state. So, we really need to start getting more dollars to our roads year over year,” said Rep. Joe Aragona, R-Clinton Township.
The 103rd legislature will be sworn in on Jan. 8.