The governor’s intentions, economically speaking, are clear, experts say. But how he’ll deal with 148 legislators planning to tackle a number of social issues is unknown.

“His campaign was about revitalizing Michigan’s economy; it was not about social issues,” said Charles Ballard, an MSU economics professor. “I think that the economic issues are his top priority.”

But legislators in recent years have introduced bills attempting to amend state statutes dealing with issues such as medical marijuana, abortion and embryonic stem cell research. Already, legislators have introduced bills that could be considered social in nature.

Whether the governor puts his seal of approval on any legislation dealing with social issues will be known when they make their way through the Legislature and land on his desk.

Snyder spokeswoman Sara Wurfel evoked the gubernatorial race that ultimately put Snyder in office as a testament to the governor’s focus on prioritizing economic issues.

“It’s safe to say that the governor has been pretty consistent that job one is jobs,” Wurfel said, using a phrase Snyder said during his State of the State address last Wednesday. “I think the voters were pretty clear when they elected him that Michigan’s economy needs to be turned around.”

Lawmakers in the state House and Senate — both controlled by Republicans — said they agree the top priorities are economic.
Balancing the budget, fostering job growth and creating an atmosphere conducive to a thriving economy are key, they said.

But there is no reason issues that could be considered social cannot be worked on at the same time, said state Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.

Jones, who introduced legislation last week which would criminalize improper disposal of aborted or miscarried fetuses, said there is time to work on both economic and social issues.

“I want to emphasize that (creating jobs) is my No. 1 issue,” Jones said. “But I work full time and I certainly have time to work on other things.”

State Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, said legislative quarreling over social issues could come as early as this week because members of an anti-abortion group are scheduled to visit the Capitol.

Meadows said he expects to see abortion-related legislation to be introduced in light of the visit.

But whether Snyder approves or vetoes legislation dealing with social issues is speculative, he said.

“He has stated publicly that social changes like these are not on his agenda,” Meadows said. “It sort of remains to be seen how he’ll deal with it … but I don’t expect him to be pushing any of these things.”

Ari Adler, spokesman for state House Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, said some of the first bills introduced in either chamber were economic in nature. That fact is a testament to legislators’ acknowledging economic issues as No. 1, he said.

But bills dealing with social issues are bound to pop up, Adler said.

“At this point, our focus has been on jobs and the economy and certainly how those tie into the budget situation we’re facing,” he said. “I have no doubt there are caucus members who are working on social issues that are important to them.”