Faced with a shrinking margin for the 2013 legislative session, Michigan Republicans not only majority- muscled through a “right to work” for less bill in its lame-duck session that stood little chance of passage next year, but several other last-minute controversial measures as well.
Here’s a look at a number of other key working-family races and ballot issues from yesterday’s elections.
In several U.S. Senate races where Republican, corporate and super PAC cash looked like it would make the difference, union members’ get-out-the-vote activism and votes helped push working-family candidates to victory. Democrats now have 55 senate seats. Elizabeth Warren defeated Sen. Scott Brown in Massachusetts. Tim Kaine beat George Allen in Virginia. Rep. Tammy Baldwin overcame Tommy Thompson in Wisconsin, Sen. Jon Tester defeated challenger Rep. Denny Rehberg in Montana and Sen. Sherrod Brown won over Josh Mandel in Ohio. Other Senate wins include Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.).
The drive to overturn Michigan’s “financial martial law” through a ballot initiative is close to securing enough signatures to qualify for a spot on the November 2012 ballot, nearly seven months before the deadline to file those signatures.
The sponsor of Michigan’s “ financial martial law ” bill that Gov. Rick Snyder (R) pushed and then signed last month is facing a recall because the first city— Benton Harbor —to be placed under the law that virtually abolishes local government is in his district and local officials and residents want their government back.
On Friday, Benton Harbor, Mich., became the first town in that state to get crushed under the boot of Gov. Rick Snyder’s (R) “ financial martial law ,” when his appointed so-called “emergency manager” suspended the decision-making powers of city officials.
More than 5,000—and the crowd is growing—Michigan union, community, education and other activists are on the Lansing Capitol grounds and inside the state House this afternoon to protest Gov. Rick Snyder’s (R) new “ financial martial law .”
Thousands of Michigan union, community, student, faith and other activists are on their way to Lansing today for a massive rally to protest Gov. Rick Snyder’s (R) blatant assault on democracy with his “ financial martial law ” bill that won final legislative approval yesterday.
It’s been four years since low-wage workers got a raise. Sign the petition to tell Congress it’s time to raise the minimum wage.
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