Democrat backed-bills in Michigan addressing pensions, healthcare costs, and public assistance remain stalled before heading to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for signing.
The bills were passed by Democrats in their final days of the Michigan House majority with bipartisan support, but they’re now on hold as Republicans conduct what they call a legal review before sending them to the governor’s desk.
The bills include adding corrections officers to the state police pension system. Richard Cardenas of the Michigan State Employees Association sees that as a critical step for public safety.
“Obviously, we want to have the best candidates coming into this profession because it’s no secret,” Cadenas said. “Sometimes we might be put in the situations that we have to make split-second decisions under very stressful conditions.”
Republican House Speaker Matt Hall reportedly questions whether a new Legislature can address the actions of the previous one, so he stresses the need for the legal review before making a decision.
In Michigan, after passing both chambers, a bill must be sent to the governor, who then has 14 days to sign or veto it. However, there’s no set time for when the bill must be presented to the governor.
