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Senate narrowly approves bill codifying Black Leadership Advisory Council after floor debate
Summary
The Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 51 to codify the Black Leadership Advisory Council created by the governor, 29-7 with one excused. Debate centered on whether the council’s membership and mission are partisan or representative of the broader Black community.
The Michigan Senate on Wednesday passed Senate Bill 51, a measure to declare the powers and duties of the Black Leadership Advisory Council created by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, by a vote of 29 yes, 7 no and 1 excused.
Supporters said the council will coordinate work across committees on issues affecting Black Michiganders; critics said the governor’s appointees are partisan and do not represent the full ideological diversity of the state’s Black community. The vote marks the bill’s final passage and sends the enacted text to the governor.
Senator Runstead (Senator), offering a formal explanation for his “no” vote, said the council’s membership “do not reflect this diversity” and contended the governor’s 15 appointees are largely partisan. “If the council’s purpose is to represent the full spectrum of the Black community, why not include other voices as well?” Runstead said on the floor, and urged colleagues to vote no. He requested his remarks be printed in the journal.
Senator Geiss (Senator), who urged a yes vote, disputed that characterization and described the council as “multi generational, multi, diasporic” in scope, listing committees the council will include—African diaspora, arts and culture, business leaders, community safety, education and health—and saying the council’s work began in 2015 leading to the executive order. “The Black Leadership Advisory Council is indeed diverse. It’s not meant to be political,” Geiss said.
The roll call on final passage was announced as 29 yes, 7 no and 1 excused. The journal records show multiple members requested their remarks be printed in the record. The bill’s text as described on the floor is intended to set out the council’s powers and duties; the transcript did not include statutory citation language beyond noting the council was created by the governor’s office.
Observers and senators noted the council’s mandate covers a broad set of topic areas tied to reducing disparities; supporters framed the measure as an advisory, cross-sector coordination mechanism rather than a grants or regulatory body. The transcript did not include details about implementation funding or staff assignments.
