Former state House Speaker Curtis Hertel is being remembered today as a leader whose willingness to compromise helped lead to a historic overhaul of how Michigan pays for public schools. He died over the weekend at the age of 63.
The Detroit Democrat served as co-speaker during the historic 1993-1994 legislative session when there was a 55-55 split between Democrats and Republicans.
Hertel was already a seasoned negotiator who helped ensure the expected gridlock between Republicans and Democrats didn’t happen. Instead, that session produced the widely hailed Proposal A revamping of Michigan’s system for funding schools.
Once Democrats won control of the state House in 1996, Hertel helped push through a minimum wage hike and a gas tax increase that helped raise more money for roads.
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— Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org