This is the last week the state Legislature is scheduled to meet before the November election. Lawmakers probably won’t take up any controversial bills until their “lame duck” session in December.
Supporters of legislation to add LBGT protections to Michigan’s civil rights law are still optimistic lawmakers will pass it before the end of the year.
“I’m pretty heartened by the openness that (state House Speaker Jase Bolger) has shown to us in having those discussions,” said Shelli Weisberg with the Michigan chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
“But it’s going to be tough.”
Weisberg admits it would be a setback if the bill has to wait until 2015.
“I think it does make it harder to go into a new legislative session because we’ve got new members and we have to really put forth a whole new, kind of fresh education effort,” she said.
Gov. Rick Snyder says his top legislative priority before the end of the year is boosting funding for roads and infrastructure.
State Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, says he wants to relax term limits on state lawmakers.
Lawmakers could also approve bills to relax restrictions on medical marijuana in Michigan during their lame duck session.