LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Most voters are not shy sharing their views with others. Even though the country seems more of a polarizing place these days, there are many who don’t mind speaking out about what they believe in – whether that’s in person or on social media.

What issues are important to Michigan voters?

According to a recent Mitchell-MIRS Poll of Michigan done on May 20th and 21st, Michigan voters cited the following issues as the “most important” ones facing the U.S. right now:

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Economy/inflation/cost of living (34%)
Threats to democracy (21%)
Border/immigration (17%)
Abortion (6%)
Climate change/environment (5%)
Foreign Affairs/national security/mid-east/Ukraine/Taiwan (4%)
Healthcare (4%)
Other (4%)
Crime/police (2%)
Election security (2%)
Not sure (2%)

Which president is best suited to solve their problems?

When asked who they thought could best solve their most important issue, 51% said former President Donald Trump and 42% said current President Biden.

Paid family and medical leave is favored by a majority of Michiganders.

In another survey done by Mitchell/MIRS, they found that the majority of likely voters want paid family and medical leave – and soon.

According to their press release, a new statewide poll of likely voters shows there is strong support in Michigan for Paid Family and Medical Leave legislation that would “ensure all working people have access to at least 15 weeks of paid leave to bond with a new child, address a personal or a family- related illness or for a paid family leave plan.”

Paid family leave is included in the governor’s “What’s Next” list of priorities.

According to the information released, Governor Whitmer included paid family leave in her “What’s Next” list of legislative priorities and while the legislation was introduced in both the House and Senate over a year ago, the bills have yet to receive a hearing.

Danielle Atkinson, founder of Mothering Justice, a lead member of the Michigan Paid Leave for All Coalition who commissioned the poll says, “A stronger future for Michigan must include providing workers the time they need to care for themselves and their families.”

Almost two-thirds of likely voters support family leave legislation.

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According to the poll of 697 likely November 2024 General Election voters conducted right before Memorial Day on May 20-21, 2024, almost two-thirds (63%) favor the passage of a family leave policy with 45% who strongly favor it and 18% who somewhat favor it.

It’s clear that they think the federal leave policy (FMLA) provides eligible employees up to twelve weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12 month period is not good enough and would like additional benefits like being paid while off on leave.

Support is very strong for a state policy with Democrats supporting it (89%), independents supporting it (57%) and Republicans supporting it by a slim plurality of 42% vs 41%.

Respondents preferred a plan that would be paid for “solely by employers and not require employees to contribute” with a majority (53%) strongly (33%) or somewhat (19%) in favor.

Even when asked if they would support the plan if it was paid for by “new very small taxes on employers and employees” a slight plurality (44%-43%) agreed.

The poll shows that voters want the bill passed by the legislature this year. Fifty percent thought it was either very important (30%) or somewhat important (20%) for the governor to sign this legislation in the calendar year 2024.

Another advantage for the state is that almost half (46%) of the voters said that if Michigan adopted the paid family and medical program, it would make them much more likely (32%) or a little more likely (14%) to stay and work in Michigan.