For the last two years, Michigan has operated under the first Democratic trifecta — one-party control of the governor’s office and both chambers of the Legislature — since 1984.
That dynamic will change in January, as Republicans flipped enough seats in the November election to give them a 58-52 majority in the Michigan House for the next two-year term.
Despite having the narrowest possible legislative majorities, the Democratic trifecta pushed through an aggressive, progressive policy agenda that undid many of the fiscally responsible, pro-growth reforms of the 2010s. Republican control of the House should, at a minimum, block further erosion.
The only legislation that must be passed every year is a budget that funds state government operations. This could be the House Republicans’ greatest opportunity for leverage, as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cannot spend any money that the Legislature doesn’t appropriate. It may be easier for lawmakers to find cover to cut spending given that Democratic leaders burned through the state’s cash balance during their two years in power.
Programs added during the last two years without Republican input should be set to the side, and continued funding of them should be contingent on funding roads and other priorities.
Another leverage point for the incoming House majority will be the oversight process. Each chamber has an oversight committee with broad authority to review state agency operations and to subpoena both documents and officials. A well-structured oversight committee with a strong chairman and diligent members can expose problems and inappropriate behavior. Incoming House Speaker Matt
Hall is a former House Oversight Committee chairman and abundantly aware of the power the committee possesses.
Beyond that, look for much of what passes the Legislature to be more locally oriented and nonpartisan. Meaningful movement on high-profile issues will require dealmaking that makes sense to members of both parties. They will need to work a muscle that hasn’t gotten much use during the last five years, and that will take both time and trust.
