With the Michigan Legislature controlled by Republicans and all executive branch offices occupied by Democrats, can or will anything get done over the next two years? Governor Whitmer is pledging to find common ground with GOP leaders to get her agenda passed, and incoming Republican state Representative Pauline Wendzel says she’s optimistic. We asked newly elected Senator Aric Nesbitt for his thoughts, given he was elected to the House in 2010 right at the end of the last time we had divided government that resulted in a lot of gridlock.
“I have a history of working across the aisle, but it also takes someone else extending out from the other side, and it’s something where I’m looking forward to working on the actual policy and issues,” says Nesbitt.
One top issue for lawmakers regardless of party is reforming auto insurance and bringing down the high cost. Nesbitt says it will mean cutting out some big-money interests like insurance companies and the healthcare lobby to get it done.
“If you actually work with legislators that work on the policy, I think we can find a way to do this,” Nesbitt adds.
It remains to be seen, though, as lawmakers have been working for years to reform the system and have always been stymied by the big money in the system.
