The Michigan Legislature elected new leadership Tuesday to fill positions that will determine the direction of legislation next year.
All leadership positions — left by term-limited legislators or made available through the Democrats' takeover of the House — in the House and Senate were filled by new members.
Democrats won the majority in the House, 58-52, during the midterm elections on Nov. 7, but the Republicans held on to most of the Senate seats, 21-17.
Rep. Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, is taking over as Speaker of the House, which is held by Rep. Craig DeRoche, R-Novi.
Sen. Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, is taking over the Senate position that is held by retiring Sen. Ken Sikkema, R-Wyoming.
A majority leader in the Senate and a speaker of the House control the flow of legislation, said Jim Agee, co-director of MSU's Michigan Political Leadership Program.
"They have power in organizing the chamber and what gets voted on in the floors of their chambers," he said. "There's a lot of legislation that doesn't get a hearing, and the leaders can decide if they'll actually get a hearing and if they will be voted on."
Dillon is considered to be a moderate Democrat and was supported by Right to Life of Michigan during the elections.
Democrats are "united" after Tuesday's inter-caucus elections and are prepared to reach across the aisle on issues in 2007, said Dan Farough, spokesman for the House's Democratic caucus.
"They're ready to move this state forward," he said. "The leadership is committed and is working in a bipartisan fashion."
Republicans have a challenge next year to stay influential while being the minority, said Matthew Resch, spokesman for the House's Republican caucus.
"We ran a good ethical government — a government people could be proud of," he said. "We will continue to run a clean government that constituents can be proud of."
Sikkema's spokesman Ari Adler said jobs and the economy will be the biggest issues facing legislators next year.
"If we don't get it done this year, they'll have to deal with the (Single Business Tax replacement) and a budget deficit," he said.
