Following days of unprecedented infighting and chaos, the Michigan State House adjourned in mid-December for the year without taking action on several of the Sierra Club’s priority legislation.
In contrast to the State House's failures, the State Senate recently passed multiple Sierra Club priority bills, demonstrating the difference in the leadership between the two chambers. Legislative priorities languishing as a result of the State House abruptly adjourning include groundbreaking water affordability legislation, restoration of key Great Lakes water protections, a statewide septic pollution control package, important building code updates, public transit funding and community solar bills. Comprehensive polluters pay bills were also awaiting action in the State House after moving unexpectedly through the State Senate at the beginning of December. The polluters pay package tackles former Governor Engler's harmful legacy by restoring requirements for corporate polluters to pay for the cost of cleaning up their toxic contamination instead of dumping the cost of catastrophic health impacts and cleanup on Michiganders.
House Republicans boycotted the last days of the legislative session, and State Representative Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) joined their ranks–leaving the State House with a minority of 55 votes and a lack of the requisite quorum to function. State Representative Peter Herzberg (D-Westland) played a particularly harmful role in the escalating chaos as he repeatedly switched his position on critical water affordability bills and engaged in bad-faith negotiations. Adding fuel to the fire, Governor Whitmer publicly threatened to veto bills sent to her desk if unpopular corporate handouts didn’t pass. As Speaker Joe Tate failed to control the mayhem, legislation addressing Great Lakes water pollution and public health protections fell to the wayside.
The Sierra Club represents thousands of Michiganders who are incredibly disappointed that the confluence of corrupt secret corporate money and ill-advised political gamesmanship derailed lifesaving legislation in the State House. Sierra Club Michigan's legislative and political deputy director, Tim Minotas, responded to the outcome of the 2024 lame-duck session:
“Voters backed lawmakers that promised to ensure access to safe, affordable drinking water for all, clean up toxic contamination, and protect the Great Lakes. Sierra Club members have packed our annual Citizen Lobby Days, made thousands of phone calls, and attended countless in-district meetings in support of our priorities. Our members watched in shock as the pro-environment agenda that helped elect this majority fell apart at the 11th hour in the State House. We do, however, extend our thanks to those in the House Democratic caucus who stood with us, along with Senate Majority Leader Brinks and the State Senate for following through on important commitments to protect people and our water."
Christy McGillivray, Sierra Club Michigan's legislative and political director, outlined clear consequences for legislators who failed to deliver on their own agenda. "The disparity between the words and actions of legislative leaders is unacceptable. Michiganders deserve better. This disparity is exactly why the Sierra Club publishes a legislative scorecard. The public deserves to know what lawmakers did and didn't do to protect Great Lakes water and public health." She continued, "As we brace for attacks from Trump's pro-polluter administration, too many legislators shirked their duty by failing to shore up important public health protections. Sierra Club members will have the information they need to hold elected officials accountable for their actions."