Michigan House absences threaten bills backed by Detroit groups
Potential absences in the House could tank legislation on the agenda Wednesday championed by local groups to combat racial health disparities.
The fate of several bills affecting Detroit residents depends on the attendance of members of the Michigan House this week.
State Rep. Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit, says she isn’t showing up, joining Republicans in protest over Democrats’ refusal to vote on Michigan’s tipped wage and paid sick leave laws.
She has her own list of demands, including legislation for a road funding plan and water affordability. Without Whitsett, Democrats are one vote shy of passing legislation without Republican support.
On Monday, Whitsett told me her presence at session Wednesday would come down to whether bills Democrats have planned for votes were based in “the same things Democrats just lost on.”
She told Beth LeBlanc Tuesday night she would be absent.
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