Republicans are poised to break the Democratic trifectas that passed sweeping climate laws in Michigan and Minnesota.
Unofficial results point to closely divided legislatures in both states. Michigan Republicans likely will take back the state House, while Minnesota could have a tied House pending the outcome of recounts.
In Michigan, Republicans were favored to pick up about four House seats, and only needed to flip one to break the Democratic majority in the lower chamber. (The Michigan Senate, which Democrats control 20-18, was not up for election.) The House GOP leader promised to use the party’s new clout to target government spending.
Less than a year ago, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) signed a package of legislation aimed at boosting clean energy, including a clean electricity standard that relied on Inflation Reduction Act tax credits to help convert the state’s grid to 100 percent “clean electricity” by 2040.
