By: State Rep. Pauline Wendzel

This past week was the most unorganized I’ve ever seen the Legislature during my time serving in Lansing. As we entered lame duck, there was one major, time-sensitive issue the Legislature needed to address: saving our bars and restaurants and fixing the sick leave act for small businesses. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Here’s what did:

1. After refusing to hold session from June through November, House Democrats teed up a year’s worth of bills for quick votes. Many of these bills were not vetted, did not receive a single committee hearing, and were introduced after members were voted out of office.
2. Having lost their majority after just one term, Democrats showed no interest in listening to the people. Instead of solving problems, they focused on pushing through a radical, far-left wish list. This included saddling the state with more than $20 billion in new pension debt, assaults on the Second Amendment, increased utility bills, driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants, implementing the national popular vote, bankrupting charter schools, toll roads, increased vehicle registration fees, and a new gas tax. These are just a few of the many terrible bills they tried to jam through.
3. On Friday the 13th, the Speaker informed the Republican caucus he had no intention of taking a vote or negotiating to save 60,000 restaurant worker jobs. After being strung along, Republicans had enough and started a boycott. One brave Democrat, Rep. Whitsett, also had enough and joined our boycott, depriving Democrats of a quorum and forcing the House to adjourn.
4. Throughout the weekend and into early this week, Democrat leadership did everything they could to bring Rep. Whitsett back to session. Quite frankly, they lied to her about bringing her bills up for a vote. When the lie was discovered, Rep. Whitsett stayed strong.
5. Yesterday, the Speaker issued a “Call of the House,” instructing the Sergeant at Arms to bar the doors to the House and hunt down members to force them back into the chamber.
6. After an hour, the Speaker caved and lifted the “Call of the House.” He immediately gaveled the House out of session until Dec. 31st at noon, killing every terrible Democratic bill that had not yet received a vote.

For Republicans in Michigan, Christmas came early. Michigan’s electoral college unanimously voted for President Trump, hundreds of far-left bills died, and a Republican majority focused on solving problems and making life more affordable for Michigan residents takes power in January.

I’m looking forward to taking early and immediate action to save our bars and restaurants, fix the disastrous sick leave act, vote on a road-funding proposal that invests in local communities without raising taxes, and drive down energy bills for hardworking Michigan families.