Gongwer News Service State House of Representatives Redistricting Analysis – 12/29/2021
Overall State:
A Gongwer News Service analysis of the state House map broke the seats up into those that are solidly Democratic, likely Democratic, tilting Democratic, tossup, tilting Republican, likely Republican, or solidly Republican. Based on this analysis, 36 seats were solid/likely Democratic and 43 seats solid/likely Republican.
That means of the remaining 31 competitive seats – far more than now exist – Democrats would have to win 20 while Republicans would need 13 to get to the 56 seats needed for a majority. Of these 31 seats, Gongwer rates 15 as tossups with no clear favorite.
Gongwer’s analysis shows three pockets in particular where House control will rest: Macomb County (four competitive seats), Kent County (four competitive seats), Downriver/Monroe (four competitive seats), and the Lansing region (two competitive seats).
Northern Michigan House Districts:
- 100 – Safe Republican
- 101 – Safe Republican
- 102 – Safe Republican
- 103 – Lean Republican. The new 103rd District, combining the most Democratic areas of Grand Traverse County (Traverse City, Peninsula Township, and Garfield Township) with Democratic-trending Leelanau County gives Democrats a chance here, but Rep. Jack O’Malley remains the favorite.
- 104 – Safe Republican
- 105 – Safe Republican
- 106 – Safe Republican
- 107 – Lean Republican
- 108 – Safe Republican
- 109 – Lean Democrat. With Rep. Sara Cambensy (D-Marquette) unable to seek reelection in the 109th District in the central Upper Peninsula, the Republican march in the U.P. could be poised to claim anew the last remaining Democratic beachhead north of Saginaw. For now, the city of Marquette and Northern Michigan University still give the Democrats a slight advantage.
- 110 – Safe Republican
Traverse Connect Opposes Bills to Reduce Community College Funding
Traverse Connect this week testified in Lansing against a pair of bills that would revoke a community college’s ability to levy and collect tax revenue, so long as they choose to offer a baccalaureate degree.
Traverse Connect is opposed to these bills because they would effectively prevent community colleges like Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City from meeting the workforce needs of the business community, especially the needs of hospital systems like Munson Healthcare.
Simply put, these bills will not help students or employers and are designed to effectively kill the community college nursing bachelor’s degree legislation that was recently approved in committee and awaits action on the House floor.
As Traverse Connect works to support the needs of employers in our region, including those in the healthcare industry, we feel that it is critical to support efforts to allow a community college to offer a local, accessible and affordable option for students or employees who are seeking to obtain a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
No vote was held, and the bills remain under consideration in the House Tax Policy committee.
State of the State Jan. 26
Governor Whitmer tonight will deliver the 2022 State of the State address in a virtual format on Jan. 26, at 7 p.m.
Watch live from the Michigan.gov website: https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_91277—,00.html
The address will be covered on local T.V. news stations and can also be streamed here
Gov. Whitmer will discuss G.M.’s recent $7B investment in electric vehicle battery manufacturing facilities in Lansing and Oakland County.
She is also set to propose a $2,000 rebate for Michigan citizens who purchase a new E.V. Under this proposal, customers will also receive a $500 rebate for at-home charging equipment for a new or used E.V.
Gov. Whitmer is also expected to pay tribute to students and teachers from Oxford High school.