MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. (WOOD) — Every two years, Michigan Republicans meet on Mackinac Island for what they call their leadership conference.
That event is taking place over the next three days at the Grand Hotel.
The conference is aimed at getting Republicans geared up for the next big general election.
As the party officials, elected lawmakers and others arrived here on the island, much of the conversation is about next year’s presidential election and with good reason.
Vice President Mike Pence will be speaking to the group tomorrow. Michigan Republican Party Chair Laura Cox says that shows how important the state will be to Trump’s re-election effort.
But beyond next year’s election, there are policy discussions as well.
With Republicans still in charge of the state House and Senate, there is no shortage of talk about the ongoing budget situation in Lansing.
On Thursday, the Republican-led legislature passed one big-budget bill. On Tuesday, they intend to pass the rest of a nearly $60 billion budget.