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PEG 6th Congressional District Newsletter 350
Michigan Democratic Presidential Primaries: February 27, 2024
Major Michigan Legislation 2023
The Michigan legislature passed many bills in 2023 that guarantee voting rights and help prevent future chaos in elections, Michigan taxes, gun safety, and Reproductive Health Care.
Voting
Bridge Michigan compiled the following changes to voting laws.
- expand voter registration,
- criminalize poll worker intimidation,
- manage political misinformation by requiring disclaimers on political “deepfakes” and campaign ads created using artificial intelligence
- tighten the election certification process to align with the federal Electoral Count Reform Act, which clarifies that the vice president has a “ministerial” duty to count electoral votes. The new Michigan law similarly states that partisan election canvassers at both the county and state levels have a “ministerial, clerical, and nondiscretionary duty” to certify results based on the outcomes compiled by local clerks. This legislation also specifies that. only the governor can submit a list of presidential electors to Congress.
- send opt-out notices to citizens who will now be automatically registered to vote when they apply for a driver’s license or Medicaid benefits, or when they’re released from prison.
- allow 16-year-olds to pre-register to vote so that they are prepared to cast a ballot when they are eligible at 18.
- set Michigan’s presidential primary date for February 27
The Free Press on December 27, 2023 and WDET summarize changes to the following.
ncome and Taxes
- expand the state Earned Income Tax Credit
- repeal Michigan’s so-called “right-to-work” law which allowed those in unionized workplaces to opt out of paying union dues and fees. This will impact those in the private sector whose workplaces have collective bargaining agreements in place.
- increase the minimum wage from $10.10 an hour to $10.33 an hour — with smaller boosts for tipped workers, minors, and new employees. Michigan’s minimum wage could increase again in 2024 depending on the outcome of a state Supreme Court case. Oral arguments were heard in early December 2023.
- Gun safety
- expand background checks to include all firearm purchases
- require safe storage of guns to keep out of the hands of children
- allow courts to temporarily remove guns from those whom a judge deems to pose an imminent threat to themselves or others.
- temporarily ban those with domestic violence convictions from possessing and purchasing firearms and ammunition in Michigan.
Reproductive Health Act
- repeal previous abortion-related restrictions
- remove regulations for clinics that state law required to purchase a special insurance rider for private health plans to cover abortion
- eliminate the regulation banning higher education institutions’ pregnant and parenting services offices from providing referrals for abortion services. Attempts were made to repeal Michigan’s 24-hour waiting period for those seeking abortions and a ban on Medicaid funding for the procedure, however, Democrats did not have enough votes to pass these last two items.
Not all of the above legislation becomes effective immediately. Those issues that did not obtain enough votes to take immediate effect become effective 90 days after the state Legislature adjourns for the year, which calculates for an effective date in mid-February unless the legislation specified a different effective date.
Michigan made a lot of positive progress in 2023!! Thank your legislators for their good work!!
Events and Opportunities
Wednesdays. America at a Crossroads Virtual Series
- Wednesday, January 10 at 8 pm ET, historian, author and Substack blogger Heather Cox Richardson in conversation with Patt Morrison: “Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America” (Register Here)
- January 17. Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of Berkeley Law, with Larry Mantle: “Anti-semitism and Anti-Zionism on College Campuses: What can we do?” (Register here.) 8 pm ET
Saturday, January 6. Support the 14th Amendment
Our friends at Ann Arbor Indivisible invite you to a pro-democracy rally to mark the 3rd anniversary of Trump’s failed January 6th insurrection at the Capitol. Help show public opposition to an insurrectionist on the ballot in Michigan and celebrate our democracy’s resilience after Trump’s January 6th insurrection. Learn ways to help defeat the insurrectionist in the November presidential election to protect our democracy. County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi and others will speak. A chorus of 14 people will read Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, part of the Colorado case, and part of the Maine AG’s ruling. Washtenaw County Courthouse, Huron and Main, Ann Arbor. 1–2 pm
Saturday, January 6. FREE Reclaim January 6th Nonviolence & De-escalation Training
The Meta Peace Team (MPT) and the Interfaith Council for Peace & Justice (ICPJ) have co-created this full-day nonviolence & de-escalation training to prepare & organize ourselves to respond to animosity and hatred with non-violence, de-escalation, empathy, and love.
The training is a proactive response to increasing threats and violence against Black, Brown, Indigenous, Jewish, Arab, Muslim, Palestinian, and queer communities, especially since the January 6th attack, with a recognition of the potential for further escalation as elections approach. Journey of Faith,1900 Manchester Rd, Ann Arbor. Register here. 10 am– 5 pm
Saturday, January 6. Screening of Behind Our Walls
Join Humanity for Prisoners and Michigan Justice Advocacy for the screening of Humanity for Prisoners’ 2023 Grand Rapids Film Festival’s Best Documentary, Behind Our Walls. The documentary, produced by Nate Roels, tells the story of eight Michigan prisoners in Handlon Correctional Facility. The film highlights the educational program that brought them together, Calvin Prison Initiative, established by Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary.
Prior to the feature film showing, a brief but inspiring film depicting the work and mission of Humanity for Prisoners will be shown. The screening will be held at Washtenaw Community College, Towsley Auditorium, 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor. Tickets are available here. 6:30 – 9 pm
Monday, January 15. MLK Symposium – Keynote Memorial Lecture featuring Michelle Alexander
Essential to the ministry and social justice advocacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr is his belief in the transformative power of faith, hope, and love to mend the rifts in society. In his historic “I Have a Dream” speech, he articulates his dream of racial equality and social and economic justice. Keynote Memorial Lecturer, Michelle Alexander, is the Best-selling author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. This event is Free and open to the public. University of Michigan, Hill Auditorium, 825 N. University Ave, Ann Arbor. 10 am Learn More
Don’t Miss Out! Get the MLK Symposium App
Throughout the entire month of January, the MLK Symposium provides the community with over 40 opportunities to participate in lectures, live performances, exhibits, workshops and community service projects sponsored by academic and non-academic units, student and staff organizations and community groups. Explore these events and ways to get involved through this guide. Download the App
Visit the PEG Events Page for more upcoming events at www.equalityingov.org/events!
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