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A few weeks ago, demonstrators marched in the Michigan Capitol, claiming that Republicans were trying to subvert the will of voters and seize the power of the newly elected Democrats. Governor, Attorney General and Secretary of State.
The fears of the protesters did not materialize.
On Friday, Gov. Rick Snyder, a Republican whose eight-year term ends next week, vetoed a bill that would have allowed legislators to intervene in lawsuits, a measure considered as an effort to dilute the authority of the new Democrats. Another legislation that would have deprived new officials of more power has never resulted in a vote on the ground
The results have provided some relief to Michigan Democrats, although they are not at all pleased with this which had happened in recent weeks. Mr Snyder also signed or vetoed dozens of other bills passed this week by lawmakers during their assiduous and controversial session of lame ducks.
"Some of those for whom he vetoed, we are a little surprised that he vetoed". Adam Zemke, a Democrat, said. "And so it's a positive thing."
In recent years, lame bills aimed at removing the authority of the newly elected Democrats have now become part of the Partisan Game Book in state controlled states. the Republicans. But Mr. Snyder's approach to these measures contrasted sharply with that of Wisconsin's Governor Scott Walker, who had proudly signed a far-reaching law this month, and former Gov. Pat McCrory, of North Carolina, who had approved similar projects in 2016. Left Democrats have been testing their own power-building strategies in states with pending trends, such as New Jersey.
In Michigan, Mr. Snyder appeared to be the most likely obstacle to the authorities' dismantling measures. Never a Republican right, the governor had disagreed over the years with his legislative counterparts on issues such as gun rights. And Mr Snyder had resisted criticism from some members of his own party for managing the Flint water crisis.
"He will not necessarily be motivated by the same things as Scott Walker or any other truly partisan Republican governor," said Brandon Dillon, chairman of the Democratic Party of Michigan and a long-time critic of Mr. Snyder. "We thought there was a good chance he was taking a different approach to these bills."
By vetoing the bill that would have allowed legislators to weigh in lawsuits, Mr. Snyder said he would not do it. liked such an intervention while he was governor. "As a result," wrote Snyder in a letter to lawmakers, "I do not think it is prudent to sign this legislation at the end of my term as governor".
His decision has been praised by Dana Nessel, the Democrat who will become Attorney General next week. "We are grateful to Governor Snyder for demonstrating her integrity and commitment to the Michigan Constitution," she said in a statement.
Some Democrats opposed bills have always entered into Mr Snyder has signed dozens of new measures this week, including a limitation of the administrative regulation process and another making it more difficult to collect signatures for citizen voting initiatives. hampered citizens' efforts to raise the minimum wage and extend paid holidays for sick workers.
On Friday, efforts to reach Tom Leonard, the Republican President of the Michigan House, and Arlan Meekhof, the Republican majority leader in the Michigan Senate, did not immediately succeed.A Michigan Republican Party spokeswoman refuted to comment
M. Zemke, the Democratic representative, said the tumult of recent weeks has raised the question of whether Michigan should even hold a post-election legislative session in the future.
"Although we may be less prominent than we thought," Zemke said, "If we had not had a lame duck, none of these bills would have been presented. "
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