LANSING, Mich. — In Lansing, Democrats currently control both houses by a slim margin.
With only two seats to spare, the Democratic majority disappears easily if not all Democrats are on board at the same time.
In those cases, Governor Whitmer will need Republican votes in order to pass bills.
So where does the priority lie when bipartisan support and agenda items conflict?
Nancy DeBoer, a Republican Representative from Holland, stressed the importance of working together.
"It's a very skinny majority. So you only have two in the House," she explained. "And so I think it's really important that we do work together and that we can come up with ideas that will make things even better for Michigan. You know, nobody has all the answers. So when we can listen to each other and, know how to kind of change what's first proposed into what fits people better, I think we all are better served."
Republican Rep. Bryan Posthumus responded to Whitmer's plan to roll back the retirement tax saying, “I think her calls for bipartisan tax reform is very disingenuous, considering the fact that we put multiple bills on her desk that would provide tax relief for taxpayers immediately over the last two years and she vetoed pretty much all of them. Now, what I will say is, it sounds like she is that she's singing a different tune now. And maybe there will be the opportunity to work together on this as long as it's done correctly and done effectively."
Lt Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, the governor's second-in-command, says that agenda items and bipartisanship don't always need to be exclusive.
"Every priority that the governor laid out today are things that have robust support about the people of the state of Michigan," said Gilchrist. "And I expect the legislature to be responsive to that."
Gilchrist pointed out, as examples, the retirement tax and the governor's newly unveiled Pre-K plan.
He also said all retirees want more money in their pockets, and all families want better education for their kids.
"Our priorities are not about partisanship. They're about solving problems for the people of Michigan," Gilchrist said.
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks echoed, saying that Democrats and Republicans can rally around common interests.
“This is a very celebratory moment," said Brinks on Wednesday. "But working in the trenches everyday, I know that there are Republicans who care about those things who are willing work with us.”
Any lingering questions Republicans may have will be answered in two weeks when the Governor releases her budget proposal for 2024.
WATCH: Governor Whitmer delivers 2023 State of the State address
