Whitmer promotes clean energy and paid vacations in Michigan; offers few specifications | Michigan Bridge

Whitmer’s speech was low on detail and he did not answer reporters’ questions.

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A spokesman said the governor has been sticking to broad goals to make room for negotiations with the legislature, where Democrats’ lead of two House seats could soon disappear if two members win mayoral elections in November and step down.

Republicans interpreted the speech as a “leftist and progressive” wish list from a second-term Democrat, who earlier this year worked with legislative Democrats to enact sweeping policy changes, including repeal and codification of the right to work in favor of trade unions. of LGBTQ rights.

Here’s what Whitmer hopes to work on:

A mandate for paid leave

Whitmer backed the push to provide paid family and medical leave for all Michigan workers, granting time off for childbirth or ill health, but did not propose specific details or approve the legislation.

Whitmer called the matter “personal,” noting that when she had her first child, she was also caring for a mother who was dying of brain cancer. “I was sandwiched between them,” she said. “That time shaped me and showed me the challenges so many Michigan residents experience every single day.”

House Minority Leader Matt Hall, of R-Richland Township, slammed the proposal, arguing it would create a “payroll tax” for both small businesses and workers.

He pointed to a recently introduced Democratic bill for up to 15 weeks of paid annual leave that would require employers to pay into a state fund and allow them to deduct up to 50% of the cost from employees’ paychecks.

Business groups wary of a broad government mandate have also criticized the idea.

“Most small business owners already go to great lengths to provide paid time off and flexibility for their employees. This mandate could lead small business owners to downsize or go out of business altogether,” said Amanda Fisher, state director of the National Federation of Independent Businesses . she said in a statement.

Proponents argue that a robust paid leave law would help employers fill job vacancies while encouraging more people to re-enter the workforce.

Leave is critical to ensuring full labor participation, Monique Stanton, CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy, a nonprofit that advocates for the poor, told Bridge Michigan.

Michigan has seen a pretty significant drop in the number of women in the workforce, and things like paid family leave help with that.

A 100% clean energy standard.

Whitmer offered broad support in a legislative push to require Michigan utility companies to produce 100 percent of their energy from clean, renewable sources, but the governor stopped short of proposing a deadline by which companies of public services would have satisfied this requirement.

Democrats in the Michigan Legislature have proposed requiring 100 percent clean energy generation by 2035, a timeline that would require, among other things, an aggressive phase-out of several newly built natural gas plants.

Whitmer has not yet committed to that timeline. Its previously published climate change plan calls for a zero-carbon energy standard by 2050.

But the governor said she and the House agree on ensuring that all of Michigan’s energy production comes from wind, solar or what she calls other common-sense sources, including nuclear.

We can achieve 100 percent clean energy by balancing reliability and affordability, Whitmer said.

State Representative Phil Green of Millington, who appeared to be the only Republican lawmaker to attend Whitmer’s speech, criticized the proposed clean energy mandate and suggested it would make Michigan a Third World country.

We already know this will drive up prices, Green said.

It puts us at a competitive disadvantage compared to manufacturing plants being built in China (and powered by coal-fired power plants). I see no way that this will improve Michigan’s economic position.

Solar and wind permits move into the state

Whitmer supported pending Democratic legislation that would move permits for larger wind and solar projects to the Michigan Public Service Commission, rather than city councils, where local opposition has delayed or derailed several developments.

Critics argue that the Democratic plan would divest control of local officials who know their communities best.

But Whitmer said the proposed state process would ensure that local perspectives are reflected in the planning process, while allowing us to move forward faster with the installation.

it should be easier to create jobs and build wind and solar projects. We enable clean energy projects through the MPSC just like all other sources of energy, the governor said.

Repeal the antiquated abortion law, expand insurance

Whitmer confirmed support for what advocates are calling a reproductive health law that would repeal several existing abortion laws, including a 24-hour waiting period law that requires women to be informed a full day before proceeding with a abortion.

We protect the freedom to make one’s own decisions without interference from politicians, Whitmer said, suggesting the state establish the right to abortion added to the state constitution last year through Proposition 3 approved by voters.

In a policy outline, the governor’s office also said Whitmer wants to ensure everyone has access to an abortion, regardless of where they live, work or what type of insurance they have.

Among other things, Democrats want to repeal a 2014 Michigan law that bars private insurers from automatically including abortion coverage in their policies, instead requiring customers to purchase a separate clause.

Abortion rights groups also want Michigan to become the 18th state to allow government-funded Medicaid insurance for low-income residents to pay for abortions. This would require state funds because federal funding can only be used to cover abortions in life-threatening cases, rape or incest.

Right to Life of Michigan, which helped enact many of the state’s existing abortion laws, accused the governor of using the passage of Proposition 3 as a Trojan horse to remove common-sense provisions meant to protect women and children who seek or undergo an abortion, as well as basic parental rights.

Codify the Affordable Care Act

With the federal Affordable Care Health Act facing legal challenges a decade after becoming law, Whitmer proposed codifying at the state level what she called the common-sense and cost-saving measures of the Affordable Care Health Act. it was Obama.

This includes: protections for residents with pre-existing medical conditions, the ability to remain with parental insurance until age 26, a ban on annual or lifetime coverage limits, and requiring insurance plans to cover essential services such as travel in ambulances, maternity care, mental health care and birth control.

Every Michigander deserves quality, affordable care, Whitmer said.

Prescription Drug Panel

Whitmer proposed creating what he called an independent, nonpartisan Prescription Drug Affordability Board, made up of leaders in business, healthcare, supply chain and academia, which would use data and evidence-based research evidence to address the cost of prescription drugs.

The governor did not provide further details about the board, how members would be selected or what authority they would have.

But he cited recommendations from a previously named task force that called for drug liability review committees that would have the authority to penalize and regulate certain entities in the prescription drug supply chain.

We need to hold bad actors along the supply chain accountable for rising prices while encouraging research and development for new treatments and cures made right here in Michigan, Whitmer said Wednesday.

Simplify business permits

Whitmer called on the Legislature to work with her to improve the state’s permitting process for construction projects, but offered few details about what she would like to accomplish on that front.

The governor said he wants to “streamline” permits for advanced manufacturing, infrastructure and construction projects, among others.

“I’ve heard from business leaders, especially from people in other states, that no state has gotten the permits right yet,” Whitmer said. “Michigan should be first. This is a bipartisan priority and I know we can get it done.”

Protect democracy

Whitmer said he wants to help protect democracy by, among other things, increasing election security and protecting election workers from intimidation.

“We cannot allow the will of the people to be sidelined or overturned, and we cannot allow politicians to remain in office despite being ousted,” Whitmer said, referring to former President Donald Trump.