Gov. Gretchen Whitmer called on Michigan lawmakers Wednesday to give all workers in the state “breathing room” by creating a new program to offer them paid family and medical leave, a proposal that some worry could amount to a tax on Michigan’s businesses and workers.
Whitmer, a Democrat who is increasingly gaining national political attention, made guaranteed paid time off for workers after the birth of a child or for health reasons a key policy priority in a speech about her legislative goals for the remainder of 2023.
Michigan only changed due to a citizens ballot initiative that created a independent board to redistrict the state. Not every state has that mechanism. I also wouldn’t characterize either the Governor or a large portion of our Dems as progressives, though they certainly do love to use language that leads many to think that.