MichMash: Dems Have Powerful New Tool In Negotiations at State Capitol

Democrats nearly killed a bill on snow days using a procedural rule. The result? They got more of what they wanted.

Michigan State Capitol building on a cloudy day

WDET Digital

A bill allowing schools to break for the summer without having to make up for snow days missed this past winter is headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk. It would forgive four snow days after a brutal winter left some schools closed for weeks.

But before getting final approval in the state Legislature, Senate Democrats found a way to get more of what they wanted out of the bill.

As part of the weekly series MichMash, Jake Neher and Cheyna Roth talk about a new tool Democrats are using to wield more power over negotiations in Lansing.

Click on the audio player above to hear that conversation.

Authors

  • Cheyna has interned with Michigan Radio and freelanced for WKAR public radio in Lansing. She's also done some online freelancing and worked on documentary films.
  • Jake Neher is senior producer for Detroit Today and host of MichMash for 101.9 WDET. He previously reported on the Michigan Legislature for the Michigan Public Radio Network.