Lame Duck 2024
In just a few short weeks Michigan’s governmental leadership will shift as Democrats lose their “trifecta” control of the Governorship and both chambers of the legislature. Environmental rollbacks are expected, which means we have a very, very short amount of time to drive lasting protections forward. And we need your help to do so.
Clean, safe water
Michigan is home to some of the most beautiful and globally rare freshwater resources in the world that accompany our many smaller lakes and streams. Below the surface lies our unspoken sixth Great Lake: groundwater. But pollution, climate change and years of backsliding on critical protections have left our water seriously vulnerable.
Legislation at risk in Lame Duck:
- Water Protection Rulemaking – A single sentence has rendered the State of Michigan unable to protect people and ecosystems from water pollution for over 18 years. Legislation passed out of the Michigan Senate earlier this year would take a red pen to the phrase. Now, it’s being held up in the Michigan House. The threat? The incoming Trump administration could roll back even more water protections at the federal level. Without our own state-level protections in place, pollution could rise to an all time high.
- Statewide Septic Code – Michigan remains the only state in the U.S. without a statewide code to inspect and fix failing septic systems. The result – human waste is leaking into our groundwater and causing toxic algal blooms and transmitting E.coli across our streams, rivers and beaches. The Senate, fortunately, passed these bills! The threat? Very few session days remain to secure full votes in the House, while also ensuring the finmichiganenvironmentalcouncil.good.do/lameduck2024al forms of the bills adequately protect environmental and public health.
Transit for all
Earlier this year, we made transit funding a focal point of our advocacy around Michigan’s multi-billion dollar budget. And that was for good reason: As transit funding was hitting its lowest point in modern history, calls from experts were increasingly linking transit to population growth and happiness from Michigan residents.
Legislation at risk in Lame Duck:
- ‘SOAR’ funding – Over the years, Michigan’s Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve, known as SOAR, has spent over $2 billion on business tax incentives in the state. A set of three bills would turn the SOAR fund into the Make it in Michigan Fund and reallocate money from SOAR to public transit, housing, and placemaking. The legislation passed out of the House Economic Development and Small Business Committee earlier this year. The bills are currently held up in the Michigan House. The threat? If the bills clear the Legislature and are signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, it would likely be the largest investment in public transportation in state history.
- General transit funding – Current conversations about Michigan’s general road (transportation) funding do not have future funding running through the Act 51 formula, which leaves public transit at-risk of being left out of any agreement. The threat? Funding for things like buses, trains, senior shuttles, ferries, etc. to operate would not grow as we invest in things like building new roads and highways.
Fight plastic pollution
It’s no secret that microplastics are one of the biggest emerging threats to our environment and communities. Not only do they not biodegrade, but they break apart into even smaller pieces and affect even more ecosystems. We must take preventative measures to reduce the prevalence of plastic to protect human and environmental health.
Legislation at risk in Lame Duck:
- Limiting single-use plastic to reduce pollution: In 2016 Michigan adopted Public Act 389, which prohibits local communities like ours from regulating single-use plastic items. This statute has prevented Michiganders from protecting themselves from the harmful chemicals in plastic and protecting the Great Lakes from plastic pollution from these materials. The threat? Not only do they not biodegrade, but they break apart into even smaller pieces and affect even more ecosystems. We must take preventative measures to reduce the prevalence of plastic to protect human and environmental health.
Breaking news & opportunities for action
Lawmakers can lift the Great Lake State's waters out of dire straits by passing protections this lame duck session
As the 50th anniversary of one of the world’s most effective recycling programs nears, a state legislator’s proposal would divert its environmental funding to corporate giveaways.
A Senate committee took up bills that would enable risky carbon capture and sequestration technologies.
Support For Love of Water (FLOW)'s campaign to address failing septic systems in Michigan.
The fossil fuel industry is threatening to turn Michigan into a ground-zero state for carbon capture and storage (CCS)—a harmful technology that puts our communities and environment at SERIOUS risk without the proper protections.
Reps. Hood, Paiz seek to limit an emerging, widespread pollutant
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