Business leaders from some of Michigan’s largest employers on Tuesday urged the state’s Republican-led Legislature to avoid approving any new election laws that would reduce participation or disenfranchise voters. It’s a direct response to a 39-bill plan from state Senate Republicans.
Three months into the vaccine rollout, appointments are going unfilled and clinics are being canceled due to lack of interest, even as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer begs Washington for more doses.
Even as the Centers for Disease Control urges Michigan to close down part of its economy to stop a dangerous COVID spike, residents seem done with restrictions.
The Democratic governor is offering an olive branch to Republicans who control the Legislature. They aren’t happy, though, that Whitmer made the peace offering through the media.
On April 29, Bridge Michigan senior writer Ron French will moderate a Zoom discussion with Michigan College Access Network board chair Maddy Day and Oakland University President Ora Hirsch Pescovitz on the impact of COVID on higher education this fall and beyond.
Health care workers say the fear of an unknown virus and the frantic scramble for equipment of last spring are both gone. But gone, too, are heaps of support. In some instances, staff camaraderie forged in last year’s chaos has started to fracture.
A few companies issued general statements opposing voter suppression. But as Republicans press for voter ID requirements and other changes, it may be harder for the business community to stay on the sideline.
Michigan’s proposed reform of election laws shares similarities with a Georgia law sparking a backlash, such as requiring ID and regulating drop boxes. But it lacks other measures such as a ban on water for those in line.
New ID requirements. Ballot box regulations. Bans on paid postage for absentee ballots. Rules for challengers. All told, the plans from Republicans would disproportionately impact Democratic counties and cities.
Whitmer wants more vaccines from Biden and voluntary restrictions on activities from residents. But she resisted pressure from some health officials to respond to a flood of cases with new mandates.
