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Lansing Michigan Senate Republicans cast votes Thursday to block two of Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer s appointees to the state cherry committee, a panel that oversees marketing efforts for the cherry industry.
Whitmer had appointed Juliette McAvoy of Central Lake and Emily Miezio of Suttons Bay to the committee, which can have up to 13 members. The Senate voted 20-14, along party lines, to reject the appointments. GOP lawmakers have now blocked 20 Whitmer appointees this year amid disagreements over the governor s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, said two other candidates for the committee had been passed over without explanation. And Sen. Kevin Daley, R-Lum, indicated that some cherry farmers were opposed to the selected appointees.
Sexual harassment, ethics reforms and pandemic relief: The week in Michigan politics mlive.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from mlive.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
These 39 bills are not original ideas, as we are seeing this type of voter disenfranchisement legislation being introduced all over the nation, especially in the states that former President Donald Trump lost. Even prior to the introduction of the Michigan Senate Republicans’ voter suppression bill package, similar bills have been introduced in 43 other states.
Michigan voters overwhelmingly passed Proposal 3 in 2018, expanding voter access to the ballot (no-reason absentee voting, same-day voter registration, automatic voter registration), but here we have legislators actively working against the will of Michigan citizens, trying to make it more difficult to vote nibbling around the edges of these constitutional changes. This tactic is on-brand for the Michigan GOP, since, as Leader Shirkey told us, more people voting is bad for Republican candidates.
Michigan Republicans leading with less controversial bits of voting package
Updated 12:56 PM;
Today 12:56 PM
Genesee Township election workers count absentee ballots on election day Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2020 in Genesee Township. (Jake May | MLive.com)Jake May | Mlive.com
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LANSING, MI - One month ago, Michigan Senate Republicans debuted their plan to overhaul the state’s election laws.
The ensuing weeks brought criticism, protests and press conferences from Democratic officials and liberal activists calling the package everything from “racist” to “voter suppression.” Much of the pushback focused on one portion of the package that would tighten control and adds steps to the absentee ballot process.
Benson, state and local leaders denounce Senate Republican voter bill package wincountry.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from wincountry.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.