file: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f1/Michigan_State_Capitol_dome_interior.jpg
Steve & Christine from USA, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
It’s the Governor’s big night (and a speech required by the state constitution[1]) but that doesn’t mean the legislature has no role to play. The Governor speaks before a joint session of the legislature in the House Chamber of the State Capitol. The Sergeant at Arms announces the arrival of the Governor and family. The speech itself lays out the Governor’s legislative agenda.
Attendance is by invitation only. We thought you’d be interested in details, so we asked Molly Tamulevich, Attorneys for Animals board member who attended the ceremony, to give us a report:
Q: This is more than a speech, right?
MT: It’s an event. It’s a great networking opportunity! There’s food. There’s schmoozing.
Q: Set the background for us.
MT: There’s an official reception at the State House, hosted by the Legislature. There’s a buffet table and tables/chairs (no alcohol) set up on the first floor of the Capitol. It is very crowded and noisy! The reception lasts from 4-6PM. In attendance are all the legislators (House and Senate); staff; state officials; Supreme Court judges; lobbyists; and guests of the above. Lt. Governor Gilchrist was at the reception but I did not see the Governor.
Only some of the attendees at the reception are invited to watch the speech in-person, and they take their seats in the gallery around 5:30.
Most people (including me) watch the speech from various receptions around downtown Lansing, including lobbyists’ offices and restaurants. Those hosting the receptions have food (and alcohol). After the speech, legislators and state officials circulate through the various receptions to meet and greet and talk. I left before 10PM but it went on for quite a while longer, I am told!
Q: Was there a “dress code”?
MT: I call it “political fashion” – lots of suits, dresses, blazers. It’s OK to wear bold colors. (I wore a Kelly/emerald green skirt with black accessories). There were a lot of well-dressed, fashionable people in attendance.
Q: What is your impression of the evening?
MT: People are happy to be back to normal, and feel that sense of camaraderie of an in-person event. This was the first in person State of the State since Jan. 2020 which I also attended. The feeling in Lansing this year is completely different – the Democrats are very, very excited. There’s definitely a lot of energy in Lansing, a lot of younger elected officials.
Q: Finally, what did you talk about with the legislators and officials?
MT: I talked about animal welfare policy with some of the elected officials, many of whom I am already working with to introduce bills this year. It felt more like a social opportunity and a chance to be around people who care about the political process. It wasn’t like a serious lobbying meeting/discussion. But it was very worthwhile. If you’re given the opportunity to attend, you should.
[1] http://legislature.mi.gov/doc.aspx?mcl-Article-V-17