Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will deliver a “What’s Next Address" that will outline her policy priorities for the second half of the year. The second-term Democratic governor is expected to call for paid family and medical leave during the Wednesday speech, along with a 100% clean energy standard and the codification of protections ensured by the Affordable Care Act. The Michigan Legislature is expected to return to Sept. 5 after a two-month break. Democrats have passed several bills in the first half of the year, including an 11-bill gun safety package and the repeal of a right-to-work law. Republican state Rep. James DeSana criticized Whitmer in a statement ahead of her speech for taking a “victory lap” days after Michigan was hit by at multiple tornadoes.
