State Rep. Cam Cavitt | Michigan House Republicans
State Rep. Cam Cavitt | Michigan House Republicans
Rep. Cam Cavitt criticized recent legislation signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, accusing Democrats of allowing unions to deduct dues from family caregivers' paychecks in Michigan. The new laws, Senate Bills 790 and 791, reclassify direct care workers as public employees, enabling the Service Employees International Union to recruit them as members.
Cavitt argued that this move is a reward for political allies, highlighting that a similar initiative was rejected by a bipartisan majority of Michigan voters in 2012. He stated, "Democrats continue to use their total control of state government to hand out favors to their political allies — robbing the people of Michigan to reward their own friends."
The bills target caregivers who are compensated through Michigan’s Home Help program. This Medicaid-funded program supports individuals with disabilities and seniors requiring daily assistance. Most caregivers under this program are family members or close friends.
Concerns were raised by AARP regarding these bills. They urged the Legislature to exempt the state's 30,000 individual family caregivers from these measures. However, an amendment proposed by House Republicans to address this concern was blocked by Democrats.
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