LANSING, Mich. (Jan. 13, 2023) — Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint) has issued the following statement after being named Senate Labor Committee Chair, a new committee for the 102nd Michigan Legislature:
“I’m thankful for the appointment and appreciate the trust Senate leadership has in me,” said Sen. Cherry. “I look forward to working on behalf of Michigan’s workers by creating policies that benefit them, their families, our communities and our economy.”
Sen. Cherry also welcomed the initial introduction of bills to begin the 102nd Session of the Michigan Legislature this week. The bills introduced include legislation to:
- Repeal the retirement tax on Michigan seniors, by Rep. Angela Witwer (D-Delta Twp.) and Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores);
- Enable workers to keep more of their hard-earned dollars through an increased Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), by Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights) and Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City);
- Expand Michigan’s Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act to include anti-discrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, by Rep. Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield) and Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield);
- Restore the state’s prevailing wage law, by Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac) and Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe);
- · Repeal the so-called “right to work” policy and restore workers’ rights, by Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) and Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton); and
- Repeal Michigan’s 1931 statute that criminalizes abortion care, by Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) and Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor).
The bills, announced Wednesday, were formally introduced in the House and Senate during Session on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023.
“It is a key responsibility for our state government to protect people’s rights and promote equity, whether they are at home, out in public or in the workplace,” said Sen. Cherry. “I’m ready to get to work on passing legislation that will improve the lives of people in Michigan.”
###