Legislative work officially ceased on Nov. 14. This is earlier than the legislature has adjourned in over 55 years. Typically, lawmakers are still in session well into December. Let’s call this what it is: a gift for any business owner hoping for less regulation.
It’s often suggested that having a “full-time” legislature is bad if they aren’t working full time. I’m here to tell you that it’s better for them to head back to their districts than stay in Lansing finding things to work on. (Having worked for a legislator, I can confirm they are often more busy meeting with constituents and attending meetings and events at home than they are in Lansing.)
Most states have what they call a “part-time” legislature that only meets several months out of the year. What’s good about that is the limited time forces them to prioritize work on critical issues and largely avoids the need to “look busy.” What’s bad is that sometimes policy gets rushed.
In Michigan, we have a year-round, “full-time” legislature that largely follows the school calendar year for its session schedule. Each legislative session spans two years, meaning unpassed bills remain active until the legislature adjourns in an even year. We’ve always been subject to the rush mentality to get various lawmakers priorities done before a legislative break, or so they can take credit in the next election cycle, or before a lawmaker is either voted out of or term-limited from office. But most of the time, complicated policies receive thorough vetting in workgroup discussions and the committee process.
I’ve said it before: good policy takes time. It’s also true that legislators with too much time on their hands often come up with what I like to call well-intentioned bad ideas; usually in the form of additional regulations or a new or duplicative program. While some lofty policy goals were tossed around this fall, only the clean energy by 2040 legislation actually crossed the finish line. So let’s celebrate the early adjournment, as it maintains the status quo of protective laws we’ve previously advocated for and it safeguards MRA members from any additional well-intentioned bad ideas from percolating through the process until at least 2024.
