Road funding is one of the major issues that state lawmakers are trying to pass before the end of the year.
Gongwer News Service Editor Zach Gorchow says it seems likely that a deal will be reached before lawmakers adjourn at the end of the year. The House and Senate have passed competing versions of a road funding package. Gorchow says it's hard to know what a compromise will look like. But he says now that both chambers have taken tough votes, it seems likely that an agreement will be reached.
But it's likely going to come later in the "lame duck" session. Gorchow says any road funding legislation will require votes from Democratic lawmakers. Gorchow says House Minority Leader Tim Griemel wants to use that leverage to prevent last-minute legislation on issues such as repealing the "prevailing wage" law in Michigan, or changing how Michigan's awards its electoral votes.
Governor Snyder had also wanted lawmakers to discuss expanding the state's Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity. But the Legislature will very likely adjourn without a vote on the expansion. Gorchow says Republican leaders would support protections from discrimination for gay and lesbian people, but not for transgender people. But Gorchow says Democrats would not support expanding the law without including gender identity.
