FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
December 3, 2024
Contact: Denzel McCampbell, denzel@progressmichigan.org
POLL: Michiganders Support Dems Ending Year with Policy Push
Lake Effect poll shows Michiganders believe lawmakers’ jobs are far from over this year
MICHIGAN – Progress Michigan released the November issue of Lake Effect, a monthly poll tracking public opinion about a variety of issues and political figures. As the end of this legislative term nears, polling shows that not only do a majority of Michigan voters believe Michigan lawmakers have plenty of work left to do before the end of the year, but they also strongly support action on people-first policies. From protecting reproductive freedom and workers’ rights to closing corporate tax loopholes and creating protections against pollution, Michiganders continue to show their support for progressive policies.
“While the end of the year may be close at hand to some lawmakers, their job this year is far from over,” said Sam Inglot, executive director of Progress Michigan. “We are counting on them to pass good, proactive policies that will help working families and protect our rights and freedoms.”
When reminded that Democrats will lose control of the Michigan State House next year and asked about what policy priorities they should focus on for the rest of the year:
- 75 percent think it is important to ensure our economy works for everyone and not just the wealthy few.
- 75 percent think it is important to protect workers’ rights.
- 77 percent think it is important to protect our air, water, and environment by holding corporate polluters accountable and pursuing clean energy initiatives..
- 77 percent think it is important to ensure all Michiganders’ basic human rights for water and shelter.
- 61 percent think it is important to ensure all Michiganders’ freedom to pursue life, liberty, and happiness is equally protected, including for the LGBTQ+ community and Michigan’s many diverse immigrant communities.
Poll respondents were also asked about specific policies that advocacy organizations across the state are calling for lawmakers to pass before the end of the term:
- 81 percent support implementing paid family leave.
- 70 percent support setting a 100% clean energy standard, removing barriers to clean energy, and reducing energy waste.
- 66 percent support passing an income-based water affordability program.
- 92 percent support requiring corporations to clean up their own pollution.
- 92 percent support opening the Governor’s office and Legislature to FOIA requests.
- 71 percent support second look legislation.
- 69 percent support closing the dark store tax loophole.
- 61 percent support protecting access to contraception, comprehensive and accurate sex education in schools, and reproductive freedom.
- 66 percent support addressing the Black maternal mortality rate.
- 68 percent support the Michigan Voting Rights Act.
- 87 percent support improving consumer and employee protections and holding insurance companies accountable.
- 64 percent support protecting Michigan’s paid sick leave implementation, minimum wage increase, and the gradual elimination of tipped minimum wage.
“Michigan and the nation are heading into some very turbulent and tough times under a Trump presidency, but one thing is clear right now: the moral imperative for Democrats in Lansing to do everything in their power to protect our rights and improve the conditions of working people – something we know Republicans will not do in divided state government,” Inglot continued. “For Democrats to sit on their hands and do little or nothing would be a dereliction of duty. It’s time for them to get to work now, vote and pass good policy.”
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