Michigan is particularly notable. After Donald Trump shocked Democrats everywhere by winning it in 2016, the Democratic comeback has been decisive. Liberal cultural values have gained ground in former Trump country, culminating in a 2022 referendum that codified state constitutional abortion rights passing by a wide margin.
Michigan Senator: ‘We Will Not Demonize LGBT Students or Accept Conspiracies’
January 25, 2023
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Now that Democrats won back a good deal of ground on the state level in 2022, can they counterprogram this hard-right turn by redoubling their own use of state governments — judiciously — to advance a blue-state cultural agenda?
To answer this, keep an eye on Michigan. After flipping the state legislature and reelecting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer last year, Democrats opened their legislative session with a barrage of culturally liberal legislation, including new LGBTQ protections and repeal of an onerous antiabortion statute, which Republicans had blocked in the majority.
Now, Michigan Democrats can legislate a clear alternative to the reactionary lurch by red states.
ICYMI: This is a must-watch from yesterday’s #mileg Senate Education Committee, which for the first time in forever, has an actual K-12 teacher at its helm (and a higher ed one by her side). Class is in session, y’all. Class is in session. #miched
Senator Dayna Polehanki:
“At this stop, we will not participate in the demonization of teachers or LGBTQ students, and we will not give credence to fake scandals or conspiracy theories. Let me be clear that those days are over for the next four years while I hold this gavel.”
“At this stop, we will not participate in the demonization of teachers or LGBTQ students, and we will not give credence to fake scandals or conspiracy theories.
Let me be clear that those days are over for the next four years while I hold this gavel.” pic.twitter.com/TqBnVVWybu
— Senator Dayna Polehanki (@SenPolehanki) January 24, 2023
