(The Center Square) – After a controversial and tension-filled lame duck session in the final days before the holiday recess, Republican and Democrat legislators now begin preparations to return in 2025.
Republicans will take power in the state House in the spring, after two years of a Democrat trifecta. They will control the House 58-52 for the next two years.
Democrat Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said that 2024 was a “busy” year for the state.
“In 2024, we came together, rolled up our sleeves, and delivered for Michiganders,” Whitmer said. “In 2025, we’ll keep building on our momentum.”
Both Republicans and Democrats claimed successes in the wake of the lame duck session.
“Among the Christmas list items for MI House Democrats this lame duck were driver’s licenses for illegals, a homeless bill of rights, and the elimination of election safeguards,” the Michigan House Republicans said in a statement. “House and Senate Republicans fought long and hard to keep Michigan safe, maintain election integrity, and protect our small businesses and tipped workers. And that’s exactly what you can expect in 2025.”
One of the ways Republicans tried to prevent Democrats from passing legislation was by walking out of the session, a tactic Democrats say will be emblematic of how Republicans will act in 2025.
“As Republicans take the state House majority next year, Michiganders could see all of that progress stopped in its tracks in favor of an out-of-touch, extremist agenda,” the Michigan Democratic Party said.
Rep. Matt Hall, Republican and speaker-elect of the House, said that fixing roads and bridges will be a priority in 2025. He defended the decision for Republicans to walk out.
“Democrats tried to pass a radical, far-left agenda,” he said. “We stopped that agenda last week.”
Lavora Barnes, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, pushed back on Hall’s “so-called leadership.”
“Hopefully, Matt Hall’s New Year’s Resolution will be to actually work with us to help people, but I won’t get my hopes up,” she said. “Thankfully, Michigan Dems will be there every step of the way to fight for Michiganders and their families.”