LANSING, Mich., Feb. 28, 2023 — Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) joined his fellow Democratic Black Speakers at the White House on Monday in recognition of Black History Month for a discussion of legislative priorities. Speaker Tate gathered with Illinois Speaker Chris Welch, Maine Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, Maryland Speaker Adrienne Jones, and New York Speaker Carl Heastie for a meeting with Biden administration officials, including Dr. Susan Rice, director of the Domestic Policy Council, and Julie Chavez Rodriguez, senior advisor to the president and director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. The discussion focused on the partnership between the Biden administration and states on core priorities, such as economic opportunity and equity. Speaker Tate released the following statement on the meeting:
“The discussion at the White House was a meaningful opportunity to join with my fellow Black Speakers of the House and share our experiences as leaders of our respective bodies. While we represent unique and diverse constituencies, we are united by common issues facing our states. Affordable housing, economic development, education and more are all areas where we can advance meaningful reforms to help improve the lives of our residents.
“We are also united in our desire to put people first, and the Michigan House Democratic majority has identified a number of priorities to advance equity in our state. The expansion of Michigan’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and the elimination of the 1931 law that criminalizes abortion care are important actions that reflect the will of the majority of Michiganders. Our caucus is committed to ensuring safety for workers and voters at polling locations and advancing commonsense gun violence prevention legislation in the wake of the recent shooting at Michigan State University.
“The importance of diversity in elected government cannot be overstated, and it was my privilege to meet with my fellow Black Speakers of the House to learn from one another’s experiences.”