LAURIE POHUTSKY

For the first time in decades, Democrats run the show in Michigan, passing legislative priorities they've been after for years: repealing a 1931 abortion law, repealing right-to-work and more.

First legislation includes measures for civil rights and economic justice

As its first order of business Jan. 11, the Michigan legislature made history. RELATED: ‘Our agenda advocates for all Michiganders’: Meet the leaders of the 102nd legislatureThe House session began with Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit, overwhelmingly confirmed as speaker in a 102-8 vote. Only Republicans, many of who were part of the House’s far-right Freedom Caucus, voted against the move. In a speech following the vote, Tate pressed working for the betterment of Michigan and its people. “Our bipartisan record should set the tone for the next two years in the House of Representatives,” Hall said.

The Livonia City Council rejected a proposed ordinance to extend protections for its LGBTQ+ members.

This incoming legislature will also have the largest showing of women and LGBTQ members in the House and Senate, though see fewer Black lawmakers in either chamber. “Going into the 102nd Legislature, it is vital we have a leadership team that reflects the diversity of our state and is led by public servants that voice the issues that matter most to the people of Michigan. ... Our agenda, one that advocates for all Michiganders, is in strong and passionate hands,” Pohutsky said in a statement. Rep. Ranjeev Puri, D-Canton, will also serve as majority whip for the chamber while Rep. Amos O’Neal, D-Saginaw, will serve House Democrats’ caucus chair. “Each member of this leadership team has a strong record and together they are champions for the people of Michigan.

Women will represent an even greater number of seats in the upcoming 102nd legislature than the year prior, with the Senate seeing its cohort increase by nearly 10%. Members of the LGBTQ community, too, will also see their numbers more than double in the legislature once seated for the upcoming session. It’s the same out of the Senate, where only three lawmakers – Sen. Lana Theis of Brighton, Sen. Ruth Johnson of Holly and Sen. Michele Hoitenga of Manton – of the 15 are Republicans. Though that break down between Republican and Democratic women in the Senate will stay the same between this year and next year’s legislative body, Republican women in the House will see a two-seat decrease from where they currently sit. The other, she added, is that when more diversity is introduced into a legislature, that diversity is also reflected in policy and problem solving.

Following last week’s U.S. Supreme Court decision which overhauled the right to an abortion as outlined in Roe v. Wade, three Democratic House lawmakers are warning that abortion is just the first of several constitutional rights which could be on the chopping block. “I don’t know how many folks have read Justice (Clarence) Thomas’ concurrence in the Dobbs decision, but they are not going to stop,” Pohutsky said. They are coming for our right to privacy. Obergefell v. Hodges, decided in 2015, gave same-sex couples the fundamental right to marry under the U.S. Constitution. “Do not listen to the poisonous people that want you to believe you have to pick and choose.

The tone at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing was as defiant as it was celebratory, with more than 200 members and allies of the LGBTQ+...

With Pride Month coming to a close, Michigan Democrats in the legislature are continuing to push for recognition of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Michiganders. The resolution, introduced by Moss, would recognize June as the annual LGBTQ Pride Month in the Michigan Senate. As of Wednesday, the Senate Resolution still has yet to be approved, even after being introduced twice earlier in the month. “This agenda that they have of division prevents us from getting work done on behalf of the state of Michigan,” Moss said. House Resolution 322, which officially recognizes Pride Month in the state House, was approved on Tuesday, June 21.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer again called on the Michigan Supreme Court to make a decision on whether the state’s 1931 abortion ban should remain state law.

Updated, 3:50 p.m., 5/17/22, with comments from Planned Parenthood A Court of Claims judge granted a preliminary injunction in a suit brought by Planned Parenthood...

In the hours after news leaked that the U.S. Supreme Court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade, more than 10,000 people signed up to volunteer for a Michigan petition drive that would put abortion rights on the November ballot. RELATED: Abortion-rights supporters rally at Michigan Capitol, collect signatures for ballot initiativeWithin 24 hours of the Supreme Court leak, abortion-rights advocates hosted a rally at the Michigan Capitol in Lansing. “But (the Supreme Court news) definitely made me come off the couch and come do it.”Loren Khogali, the ACLU of Michigan executive director, was also at Tuesday’s rally. Gretchen Whitmer has filed a lawsuit in hopes of getting the Michigan Supreme Court to rule that the ban is unconstitutional, saying it violates the due process clause and equal protection clause of the state’s constitution. Whitmer’s lawsuit is no “slam dunk” either, Pohutsky said, despite a Democratic majority on the Michigan Supreme Court.

Two bills passed by the Michigan House Wednesday aim to ban research on cells obtained from abortion procedures, although critics said the premise violates the state constitution. House Bills 5558 and 5559, sponsored by state Reps. Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, and Bronna Kahle, R-Adrian, taken together would prohibit research on cells obtained from abortion and ban the option to donate remains from abortions to medical research, as well as make using cells from abortions in medical research a five-year felony. “Medical research is vital – but research on aborted babies is unacceptable and unnecessary,” Albert said in a statement after the vote. State Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, also pointed out that a constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2008 prohibits state laws that restrict or discourage embryonic stem cell research. Both bills passed 55-51 along partisan lines in the House and now head to the Senate for consideration.

Two Michigan lawmakers are taking issue with female college athletes being excluded from a $500 per month athletics scholarship available for all members of Michigan State University’s Spartans football and men’s basketball teams.

In 1973, the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade granted Americans the constitutional right to access a safe and legal abortion.  But in...

GRANDVILLE, MI – A jury took just 15 minutes to clear a Grandville man accused of threatening a state representative’s aide. The call happened May 4, 2020, days after armed protesters assembled at the state Capitol angry over Gov. Henning, who works for state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, testified that Kelman said that “‘if you think what happened last week was bad just wait until I get there next week. Henning said Kelman inadvertently called her office when he was trying to reach someone from the Republican Party. Kelman acknowledged his statements in an interview with state police detective Sgt.

Whether it’s through legislation or at the ballot box in 2022, expanded civil rights protections for Michigan’s LGBT residents are coming, advocates said during a Monday news conference. Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act currently protects people from discrimination based on several factors when it comes to employment, housing and public accommodations: religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status or marital status. Gretchen Whitmer and lead legislative sponsors, Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, and Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, said that while progress has been made on advancing LGBT rights in Michigan, it’s time to address gaps in the law. Pohutsky said the landscape “has changed profoundly” on LGBT rights since the idea of expanding the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act was first introduced. Citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Pohutsky said it’s important all Michigan residents can support and rely on each other as they take steps to rebuild.

Michigan lawmakers have reintroduced legislation to expand Michigan’s civil rights law by including protections against discrimination for LGBT people. Sponsored by Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, House Bill 4297 would add sexual orientation and gender identity or expression to the list of protected classes under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on several factors when it comes to employment, housing and public accommodations. Gretchen Whitmer has indicated her support of making the change to Michigan’s civil rights law and in 2019 extended protections to cover people based on sexual orientation and gender identity within the state workforce and for state contractors and services. Last fall, the group submitted 483,461 signatures to the state for its initiative to amend the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to add gender identity and sexual orientation to the list of protected classes. Her bill, House Bill 4275, specifically references braids, locks and twists as examples of hairstyles that would be protected from discrimination.

Brian Charles Watson, Wikimedia Creative CommonsMichigan State Capitol. All House offices have been closed tomorow because credible threats have been made as Michigan’s electors to the Electoral College will meet at the Capitol. My office will monitor voicemail and are available to assist you by email at KevinHertel@House.MI.Gov — Kevin Hertel (@RepHertel) December 13, 2020Another day, another alert that the Capitol is being shut down out of concern for everyone’s safety. That being said, I’m proud of our electors and hope they can complete their duty tomorrow safely and with as little controversy as possible. “That being said, I’m proud of our electors and hope they can complete their duty tomorrow safely and with as little controversy as possible.”

Over the weekend, armed protesters showed up at the home of Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and a House Representative received death threats. This must stop.”On Saturday, Michigan State and Detroit police responded to a report of several armed protesters gathered outside of Benson’s home. READ: Michigan SOS Jocelyn Benson says armed protesters gathered outside her Detroit homeMichigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson, the Democratic chair of the House Oversight Committee received death threats over the election. The hate message came after Johnson’s participation in the House Oversight Committee that questioned President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani and Melissa Caron during last week’s voting hearing. READ: Michigan House Oversight Committee members receive death threats, racist voicemailsThe hearing was parodied on Saturday Night Live.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson, the Democratic chair of the House Oversight Committee is receiving death threats due to the election. She posted several of the threats to social media. After both Democratic and Republican representatives have received threats of violence over the election, Michigan Assistant Minority Floor Leader Laurie Pohutsky posted on Twitter about the SNL sketch. The SNL skit was amusing, I guess, but last night my caucus was trying to figure out how to keep those on that committee safe from the deluge of death threats they’re receiving. I’m sorry to be a bummer and I’m glad people enjoyed the skit, but the reality of it is heinous.

“Saturday Night Live” took aim at Rudy Giuliani and a witness that went viral during a hearing before the Michigan House earlier this week on the 2020 election. “Rudy Giuliani (Kate McKinnon) tries to make an argument to prove widespread voter fraud in the 2020 presidential election,” the cold open is captioned. Laurie Pohutsky, a Democratic state representative for Michigan’s 19th House District reacted to the SNL skit on Twitter. I’m sorry to be a bummer and I’m glad people enjoyed the skit, but the reality of it is heinous. — Laurie Pohutsky (@lpohutsky19) December 6, 2020More: Giuliani to Michigan Republicans: Pressure Legislature on Biden winWatch the “SNL” cold open below:

Aside from the new faces, the overall partisan makeup of the Michigan House of Representatives won’t look much different. Related: Republicans Beson, Glenn win Bay County state House seatsMartin declares victory in 48thMichigan State House candidate David Martin. The 48th District includes Clio, Davison, Davison Township, Forest Township, Genesee Township, Montrose, Montrose Township, Richfield Township, Thetford Township and Vienna Township. Democrat Sheryl Kennedy concedes to David Martin in 48th District state House raceDavid Martin declares victory in razor-thin 48th District state House racePohutsky, Berman keep their seatsIncumbent state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, D-Livonia, candidate for Michigan's 19th state House district. Democrat Christine Morse defeats Bronwyn Haltom in Michigan 61st House raceMichigan State House candidate Kelly Breen.

The 19th, which encompasses part of the city of Livonia, was previously considered a solidly Republican district. But in 2018, Pohutsky, a microbiologist, eked out a win over Republican Brian Meakin, flipping the seat to Democratic control with 221 votes. Ptashnik, who chairs the mathematics department at Livonia Public Schools, campaigned on more local control for schools and rebuilding the state’s economy post-COVID-19 pandemic. Read more election coverage on MLive:Live results: Michigan State House of Representatives5 Michigan counties to watch closely on election nightMichigan Democrats want to flip the state House. Seven Michigan state House races to watch on Election DayWhat a split state House could look like, and why it’s a possibility

All of Michigan’s 110 state House seats are up for election next week — and a handful of those races could make the difference in who controls the majority next session. The House Republican Campaign Committee had $1.2 million in cash on hand with a week left before the election, while the Michigan House Democratic Fund had $751,745 on hand. Related: Michigan Democrats want to flip the state House. Here’s a closer look at seven of the races expected to play a role in the state House majority math this election cycle. Related: Kalamazoo County commissioner faces small business owner in 61st House District raceRelated: As Dems hope to win state House, Gov.

For Christine Morse and a handful of other Democrats vying for a seat in the state House this cycle, running in a competitive district carries even more weight than usual. “It’s critical this year to bring change to the state House so that we can move forward on issues that really impact people’s lives.”Related: As Dems hope to win state House, Gov. “Four seats to go, and we’ve got a lot more than that in play,” said House Democratic Leader Christine Greig, D-Farmington Hills. Whitmer has taken a direct role in campaigning for state House candidates in recent weeks, formally endorsing candidates and attending socially distanced campaign events in competitive districts. Related: Incumbents prevail, women win big and more takeaways from Michigan’s state House primaries