Two Midwesterner reports indicate that Michigan's new legislature just might offer some examples of good representation.

It's not enough to talk about freedom, or even to love it. Certainly, glad-handing the public is inadequate.

Thorough understanding of legislative powers is a must, as well as the courage and wisdom to know when and how to use them.

https://www.themidwesterner.news/2025/01/new-speaker-matt-hall-tells-the-midwesterner-retaking-house-first-step-in-rebuilding-michigan/?

New Speaker Matt Hall tells The Midwesterner: Retaking House first step in rebuilding Michigan

Unveils long-term strategy to restore public confidence in Michigan government

By The Midwesterner Staff     |      January 8, 2025

The Michigan House gathered for its first session on Wednesday, unanimously electing Rep. Matt Hall, R-Kalamazoo, as Speaker of the House as it commenced its 103rd Legislature and celebrated a return of a Republican majority.

In a private meeting Wednesday afternoon with The Midwesterner and three other Michigan-based new media representatives, Hall said retaking the House is the first step in rebuilding Michigan.

“We can craft solutions that are ready to go,” he said.

 

If Gov. Whitmer won’t sign Republican bills, he noted, the legislation will be ready for Republicans to reintroduce after Whitmer is term-limited out of office in 2026 and the next governor’s administration is installed.

Speaker Hall said House Republicans are optimistic in getting to work for all constituents in championing increased government transparency through six Oversight subcommittees that will counterbalance the reckless expenditures Democrats passed during the Democrats trifecta control of the Michigan Senate, House, and the governor’s office.

“We’re going to hand those [ideas] to the next governor and say, ‘Here’s a bunch of things that we recommend that you do with your administration,'” he said. “So even if it doesn’t happen now,” he added, they’ll continue pursuing their policy changes well into the next administration.

“Remember when Trump won the first time and Republicans had control of the House and the Senate, and then these guys had no plan?” Hall asked. “It was so frustrating to me and to the Republican base,” Hall said. “I want to be developing that blueprint now so that when do win the governor and the Senate that we have a plan.”

Hall noted he and the Republican House still plan to work with whatever plan the next governor promotes.

“We’ll certainly work with that next governor with what their plan is, but I think they’ll be really appreciative that there was somebody working on this the last two years to to bring to the table to help solve all the problems,” he said. “I guess that’s my expectation. I think these oversight committees will gather a lot of information and then they will issue reports and recommendations for new legislation, maybe reorganization of departments and changes in our appropriations process.”

Hall reinforced his previous statements that the Oversight Committees will have unprecedented subpoena power to request state documents and interview state officials, which he claims is a move to restoring public trust in state government.

Also on Wednesday, Rep. Rachelle Smit, R-Shelbyville, was unanimously elected Speaker Pro Tempore.