Controversial Issues in Lame Duck
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A number of issues that were overshadowed by Right to Work is moving through the lame duck session in Michigan. Video by fox47news.com
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The lame duck session in Michigan has taken national spotlight. The legislature pushed through the Right-to-Work bills and Gov. Snyder signed them into law all within a week.
"This is by far one of the worst lame duck sessions we've seen in a decade...the legislation that we've seen through has just been horrific," said Rep. Barb Byrum, D-Onondaga.
"We're doing this methodically, deliberately. There's nowhere near the feeling of chaos or out of control I saw during my first lame duck session," said Rep. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake.
They've put a cap on Right-to-Work for now, but there are dozens if not hundreds of others bills on the agenda, some of which have been fiercely debated throughout the year.
Some of the controversial topics on the agenda include a package of bills to regulate abortions. It would put tougher regulations on abortion clinics, requires doctors to make sure patients aren't forced to end pregnancies and regulates the disposal of fetal remains.
Replacement for an emergency manager law struck down by voters in November is also on the agenda as well as the repeal of the personal property tax, taxes businesses pay on computers and equipment.
"It's hundreds of bills that are moving back and forth during these final days of session. Some of them just needed that last vote...Some of them were newer issues that people want to get done by the end of the year," said Sen. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor.
It's crunch time for lawmakers and lobbyists who all want to see their issues finalized in the final session. After all, what's not done now gets sent back to square one come 2013.
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