The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of the 102nd Michigan Legislature
The last two years in Lansing have been pivotal for Michigan, delivering major victories for clean energy and democracy while exposing the deep challenges that still hinder progress in our state. With the release of Michigan LCV’s Scorecard for the 102nd Legislature, we are providing Michiganders with the information, context, and transparency to understand where their lawmakers stand on critical issues impacting our environment and democracy. The Scorecard highlights who stepped up to protect our air, land, water, and democracy – and who stood in the way.
Here’s The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of the 102nd Michigan Legislature.
The Good
100% Clean Energy – The Clean Energy and Jobs Act
Michigan took a transformative step forward with the Clean Energy and Jobs Act (CEJA), setting our state on a path toward 100% clean energy by 2040. This landmark legislation prioritizes renewable energy, improves energy efficiency, and ensures a more reliable and affordable power grid for all Michiganders. Coupled with federal investments, CEJA is creating good-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree and putting money back into the pockets of Michigan families – a true game-changer for our economy, environment, and public health.
Improved Elections & Ballot Access – Proposal 2 Implementation
The 102nd Michigan Legislature followed through on the will of Michigan voters by implementing Proposal 2 of 2022, expanding voting access and securing Michigan’s elections. Key reforms included expanded voting options like early voting, increasing absentee ballot drop box locations, and improved election security measures – ensuring that every eligible Michigan voter has an equal opportunity to make their voice heard in our elections.
Strong Leadership, a Healthy Democracy & Transparent Governance
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel proved themselves to be true champions of the people, working to ensure a secure, accessible democracy and protecting Michigan families. In 2024, Secretary Benson presided over secure elections while advocating for the Michigan Voting Rights Act and FOIA reform and championing efforts to help formerly incarcerated Michiganders regain their voting rights. Her leadership in implementing reforms created by Proposal 2 of 2022 and her push for greater government transparency strengthened public trust in democracy.
Meanwhile, Attorney General Nessel continued her advocacy for Michigan families by working to hold utilities accountable for unjustified rate hikes and fighting to keep energy costs fair for hardworking Michiganders. She took strong legal action against corporate polluters, working to ensure those that threaten Michigan’s air and water face real consequences while upholding the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy’s (EGLE) environmental protections. She also cracked down on election misinformation, defending voters from deceptive tactics and ensuring fair elections.
The Bad
While there were significant wins, several legislative failures underscore the continued influence of corporate special interests in Lansing.
Data Centers – Big tax breaks for energy hungry data centers
Lawmakers approved and Governor Whitmer signed into law massive tax breaks for large-scale data centers looking to set up shop in Michigan. Despite the urging of ratepayer advocates and environmental organizations, the legislation was signed into law without strong ratepayer protections to ensure the rush to build these huge energy-hungry facilities doesn’t result in unfair rate hikes. Big data centers require a lot of energy as well as significant water resources to cool them. States that have passed similar policies have faced the need to build big-expensive power plants to fuel the data centers with an unfair portion of the costs landing on residential ratepayers. Perhaps most importantly, this legislation lacked critical guardrails to ensure data centers don’t undermine Michigan’s newly minted 100% clean energy and jobs act.
Failure to Restore Key Environmental Authorities
In 2006, the legislature stripped EGLE of its rulemaking authority in implementing water resources protection. This authority is critical for preventing contamination, establishing surface water quality standards and protocols, like limiting phosphorus and nitrogen in Michigan’s lakes and streams that cause harmful algal blooms, and for managing the state’s floodplain program. During the 102nd legislature, lawmakers’ efforts to restore Michigan’s ability to update water quality rules under Part 31 of the Natural Resources and Environmental were blocked, leaving our state without the tools needed to regulate pollution and protect our water properly.
Dark Money & Corporate Utility Influence – Stalling Common-Sense Solutions
Michigan’s large corporate energy companies – DTE Energy and Consumers Energy – and dark money groups once again prevented common sense legislation from moving forward. During the 102nd Legislature, this included community solar legislation that would have expanded clean energy access and lower energy costs, grid reliability improvements, and fair outage credits for residents and businesses affected by increasingly frequent and prolonged power outages.
The Ugly
Despite immense promise and potential, the 102nd Legislature proved dysfunctional at times – particularly the Michigan House in 2024. This was most apparent in the final weeks of session, during which the entire House Republican Caucus walked out along with a single Democrat, completely obstructing the House’s ability to pass legislation. A number of important bills that would have directly benefited our most vulnerable communities were casualties of this breakdown. Those include:
Water Affordability
Legislation to ensure low-income Michiganders aren’t forced to choose between running water at home and paying other bills never made it across the finish line. Water affordability, a long-standing issue in communities across Michigan, was on the cusp of real action. A serious legislative package that had received extensive input over many years from experts and stakeholders was left to die in the final days of the legislative session.
Michigan Voting Rights Act
A bill that would have strengthened protections against voter suppression and discrimination was left unpassed by the House.
Building Codes & Climate Resilience
Michigan missed the chance to update its building codes (currently operating under less efficient 2015 international energy conservation code) to ensure new houses and businesses are built with the most up-to-date standards for energy efficiency and safety.
State and Local Park Funding, Veteran Support & Trash Feeds for Cleanup
Bills to properly fund Michigan’s state and local parks, support our veterans through the Recreation Passport program, and increase fees on out-of-state trash to fund contaminated site cleanups were left unfinished.
So What Can YOU Do About It?
The 2023-2024 Michigan LCV Legislative Scorecard gives Michiganders the power to see exactly where their lawmakers stood on these critical issues. And with our Digital Scorecard, you can easily check lawmakers’ scores, contact them directly, and spread the word about who is fighting for our communities all in real time throughout the legislative session.