MACKINAC ISLAND – While Senate Republicans might have the votes to adopt and amend a marijuana legalization effort, House Republicans do not, and barring a “miracle,” the issue is going to the ballot for voters to decide, House Speaker Tom Leonard said Thursday.
“Nothing is dead in the Legislature until it is dead,” Leonard (R-DeWitt) said during an interview at the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference. Still, he said, there is not enough support among Republicans alone and Democrats have not changed their position on allowing the proposal to go the voters.
“For those who want to actually vote yes on this, barring a miracle for them, I do not anticipate this happening before Tuesday,” Leonard said. “They are far short of the votes they need. I would fully expect this to go to the ballot and for the voters to decide.”
The Legislature has until June 5 to act on the proposal or it will go the ballot. Senate leaders on Thursday cancelled a rare Monday session day scheduled for next week for possible action, signaling the odds may be diminishing for movement on the measure.
The Monday session had been added to the schedule two days prior to its cancellation. It was intended as providing time to possibly act on the proposal before the Tuesday deadline.
Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) told Gongwer News Service Wednesday the chamber’s Republican majority likely has the votes necessary to adopt the measure and amend it in some way. A spokesperson for Mr. Meekhof said action on Tuesday has not yet been ruled out.
Assuming the Board of State Canvassers certifies the petition repealing prevailing wage Friday, Mr. Leonard said he intends to take it up next week. Mr. Meekhof has said the same for his chamber.
“I believe the support is there,” Leonard said on the proposal.
House Minority Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) said in a separate interview the Democrats have made the case for why Republicans should not repeal prevailing wage.
“Right now, we have a worker shortage with the skilled trades and it makes absolutely no sense you would be gutting their wages at the same time,” he said. “To me I think if you were a pragmatic and smart Republican, especially during an election year, you wouldn’t be trying to gut people’s wages. We will see what happens.”
Another issue Leonard intends on bringing up in the House before the Legislature breaks for summer is the Medicaid work requirement.
“This is something I want to get done. I believe Senator Shirkey has struck a deal with the governor,” Leonard said. “I think it is in a place where the governor can sign it into law.”
Governor Rick Snyder said there is an agreement in principle, but some details still need to be worked out.
Singh said the plan simply takes health care away from those who need it. He said if Republicans want to have a conversation about getting people to work, Democrats are ready to put more money in job training programs, assist with child care and improve transportation options.
“But they are not doing any of those things,” Singh said of Republicans. “They are trying to put in requirements that have absolutely nothing to do with health care.”
Singh said it might save the state money in one area if fewer people are on Medicaid, but it will still end up costing money through uncompensated care.
“To me I think it would be hurting the business community, and at the same time we are going to be paying more because uncompensated care is going to go up,” he said. “And those of us who have premiums are going to pay more, and those businesses that provide health insurance are going to pay more.”
This story was published by Gongwer News Service.
