The state Legislature returned to session this week following Tuesday’s general election, in which voters decided races for governor, attorney general, secretary of state, all 13 congressional seats, one U.S. Senate seat, all 38 state Senate seats and all 110 state House seats, as well as two statewide ballot proposals. In addition to electing a new governor, Michigan will have a new attorney general and secretary of state in January. The Legislature will also see a significant shift in its partisan makeup. Senate Democrats will expand their current 20-18 majority to 23-15, while House Democrats will take control with a 63-47 majority in January, flipping 11 seats previously held by Republicans from the current 58-52 Republican majority.
On Thursday, elections were held by the four legislative caucuses to determine who will lead House and Senate Democrats and Republicans when the 104th Legislature convenes in January. In the Senate, Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Brownstown Chtr. Twp.) was selected as the next Senate majority leader, while Sen. Roger Hauck (R-Union Chtr. Twp.) was chosen as the next Senate minority leader. In the House, Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton Chtr. Twp.) will serve as the next speaker of the House and Rep. Tom Kunse (R-Clare) will serve as the next House minority leader.
The Legislature also entered the lame-duck period for the 103rd Legislature—the period post November general election through the end of the two-year legislative session (December). With control of the Legislature and the administration changing in January, it remains uncertain which legislative issues will receive consideration during the final weeks of this session. MTA will keep members up to date on issues being considered and request engagement as needed.