LANSING, MI (WTVB) – An auto insurance reform package backed by the Michigan House leadership has been defeated after extended, emotional and testy debate on the House Floor.
Sponsor Julie Theis got emotional talking about the measure because of the high cost of auto insurance, and the impact it was having on constituents in her district.
Democrat Sam Singh had his mike shut off several times by the speaker for saying there were better alternatives out there. Singh and other opponents say they don’t want this to be the end of the debate, that insurance rates need to be addressed, they just need a better package.
Meanwhile, the Michigan House approved a measure that will relieve another group of drivers. By nearly unanimous approval they approved a package of bills to phase out driver responsibility fees. Those fees were enacted nearly a decade ago to help erase a budget deficit but they had the unintended consequences of ruining a lot of lives by making it impossible for some people to pay them. Some lost their licenses and livelihoods.
The Michigan Senate is considering a bill that would also get rid of the fees, but differently than the House and that may have to be worked out in conference committee.
