Internal divisions doom Michigan Democrats in their final days of legislative control
Michigan Democrats are ending their final days in control of the state government bogged down with disunity and inaction
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Democrats, recently hailed as a model of electoral and legislative success, are ending their final days in complete control of the state government mired by divisions and outright rebellion that has stalled votes on key priorities.
Tensions peaked Thursday as the state House’s top Democrat ordered absent members back and barred the doors, only to reverse course and end the year’s legislative session. The chaos erupted after a Democrat joined Republicans in skipping, leaving the chamber without enough members to hold votes.
“Everything that was on the agenda today in the House is dead,” House Speaker Pro Tem Laurie Pohutsky told reporters Thursday. “And the 55 members that did not attend should feel free to own it.”
The turmoil and finger-pointing in the final days of the legislative session underscore deep divisions within the Democratic Party on how to move forward after significant setbacks in the November general election.
