2019 Mackinac Policy Conference: Live Stream, Detroit Today and More

May 29, 2019

Tune in for the year’s most important discussions of the issues confronting our city and state

Mackinac Bridge 1

It’s here! The 2019 Mackinac Policy Conference, an annual gathering of Michigan’s political, policy and business leaders on the northern Michigan island where bread is broken, drinks are drunk and solutions are found — at least, that’s the idea. 

Detroit Today hauled host Stephen Henderson to Mackinac once again to interview the state’s top leaders. Watch a livestream of the full event above, brought to you by the Detroit Regional Chamber and Detroit Public Television, and see Detroit Today‘s coverage below. 

Gov. Whitmer signs auto insurance reform bill

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill that overhauls the state’s no-fault auto insurance laws. Head over to the Detroit Free Press for more. 

Secretary of State Benson Talks Redistricting

Jake Neher/WDET

There’s one issue that could throw a giant monkey wrench in the entire way Michigan politics operates: Whether or not the state of Michigan will soon be required to re-draw congressional and state legislative district lines before 2020. Then, after 2020, completely overhauling that line drawing process.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson joins Detroit Today to talk about how re-drawing district lines could affect the election in 2020. 

Sen. Stabenow on judiciary, Asian Carp solutions

Jake Neher/WDET

U.S. Sen. Stabenow (D-MI) joins Detroit Today from the 2019 Mackinac Policy Conference to speak about the Senate’s new normal and what that means for proposed legislation. They also discuss the newfound youth of the Senate and the approach these newcomers are introducing to judicial confirmations. “They’re just pumping these folks through that are going to radically change our third branch of government essentially,” says Stabenow 

 

 

 

 

Sen. Gary Peters talks PFAS, checks and balances

Jake Neher/WDET

Senator Peters speaks with Detroit Today about the relationship between Congress and President Trump, maintaining checks and balances and PFAS contamination in Michigan. 

“It’s hard to negotiate with someone who, when he makes a deal doesn’t stick to it,” says Peters of President Trump and his relationship with Congress.

 

 

Congresswomen Haley Stevens and Elissa Slotkin talk infrastructure, impeachment

 
Jake Neher/WDET

In response to the notion of the ‘pink wave,’ the congresswomen say they both stand on the shoulders of so many other women — and some men — who made this moment possible from both a historical perspective and from the view of voters and campaign volunteers in their districts. 

Slotkin says she has been focused on delivering on important issues like improving infrastructure and lowering the cost of prescription drugs for her constituents. Stevens echoes the sentiment, saying that more than impeachment proceedings involving President Trump, voters in her district are concerned with everyday issues that could be better legislated to ease the financial burden on individuals. Slotkin adds that “impeachment is a political process, not a legal process,” and that her district is asking her to be “very judicious about impeachment because they are worried other work won’t get done.” The congresswomen also discuss the importance of having a wide variety of voices within each party, issues regarding campaign finance and preparing for the next election cycle. 

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell and Congressman Fred Upton on bipartisanship

Jake Neher/WDET

Dingell and Upton discuss the importance of bipartisan cooperation and political civility during the Trump era. “Compromise is not a dirty word. We were elected to deliver for people,” says Dingell.

They also share their thoughts about the responsibility to hold the president accountable and the necessity of maintaining good political relationships in the age of social media.

“For all of us, 435 different people… for me, I have not been afraid to disagree with any president,” says Upton. 

 

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