Capital Catch-Up: June 6, 2022

Michigan LCV’s Government Affairs Team at The Mackinac Policy Conference!

Last week, Michigan LCV’s State Government Affairs team attended the Detroit Regional Chamber’s annual Mackinac Policy Conference, an event at the Grand Hotel that draws attendance from Michigan’s top policymakers, lobbyists, employers, and advocacy organizations. 

This year, Michigan LCV was joined by representatives from other allied organizations including the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Sierra Club, the Michigan Environmental Council, and the Energy Innovation Business Council. Pictured below (from left to right) are MEC’s Conan Smith, Charlotte Jameson, and Abby Wallace alongside Michigan LCV’s Government Affairs Team, Hallie Fox and Nicholas Occhipinti.

On the island, our Government Affairs Team held one- on-one meetings with dozens of state lawmakers and partner organizations. They also attended multiple fundraisers for high-profile lawmakers, including Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05), Attorney General Dana Nessel, and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Pictured (from left to right) are Hallie Fox, Governor Whitmer, and Tim Minotas from the Michigan Sierra Club.

Other highlights and hot topics from this year’s Mackinac Policy Conference include:

• Ford’s announcement to invest $2 billion in electric vehicle manufacturing in Michigan, a move which will create 3,200 union jobs across three plants in Dearborn, Wayne, and Flat Rock. Ford’s announcement comes on the heels of GM’s announcement earlier this year to invest almost $7 billion in EV battery manufacturing in Michigan.
• This banner from the Defend Black Voters Coalition, which urged major Michigan political donors, including DTE, Ford, GM, and Blue Cross Blue Shield to “Stop Funding Attacks on Black Votes.” The banner, which was flown via airplane over the island on Wednesday, refers to major political organizations donating to candidates that support the SecureMIVote petition — an initiative to restrict ballot access in Michigan that would largely affect voters of color. 
• The Republican gubernatorial debate, which notably did not include half of the original ten GOP candidates for governor (including frontrunners James Craig and Perry Johnson). The candidates were ultimately not invited to the debate after being disqualified from the ballot due to the overwhelming use of fraudulent signatures on their nominating petitions. While the conference was still running, the Michigan State Supreme Court ultimately made the decision to dismiss both Craig and Johnson’s attempts for appeal. You can read more about the Michigan GOP’s gubernatorial race “meltdown” here. 

 

Michigan LCV Government Affairs is Hiring! 

Do you, or someone you know, believe everyone should have safe drinking water and clean air to breathe? Are you interested in politics and environmental policy? Do you believe in defending our democracy and elections? 

If so, we have an opportunity for you to create change and protect Michigan’s land, air, water, public health and democracy by joining the Michigan League of Conservation Voters’ Government Affairs team!

Our team is looking for highly motivated, self-starters who are passionate about protecting our environment for the following positions:

MLCV Government Affairs Manager: Develop policy positions for the organization, execute legislative and executive office advocacy; build and manage relationships with partners, stakeholders, and decision-makers!

Government Affairs Fellow (part-time): This long-term, part-time fellow will support the State Government Affairs team in its advancement of land, air, water, and voting rights issues in Lansing and districts around the state. The ideal candidate will be a rising leader who will develop the experience to work in government affairs and issue advocacy. 

To learn more about these positions, and to view other open positions with the Michigan LCV team, click here.