Insider’s Guide to Lansing
Introduction
Michigan is the ultimate swing state. We look to Macomb County for special insights into the electorate and track turnout in Detroit.
The real story of Michigan’s politics includes the evolution of different regions. For example, Bay and Kent County. Bay County, which went for Vice President Al Gore (D) by 14 points in 2000, went to President Donald Trump (R) by the same 14 points in 2024. Kent County, which includes Grand Rapids went from a 22-point margin for President George W. Bush (R) in 2000 and a five-point margin for Vice President Kamala Harris (D) in 2024. Michigan votes for candidates of both parties that address working and middle-class needs with specific plans. Michigan’s Governor’s office has flipped between parties every time it has been open since the 1970’s.
Prior to a constitutional amendment in 2018, legislative and congressional maps were drawn by members of the Legislature. However, the voters changed Michigan’s redistricting process to give responsibility to the Independent Citizen’s Redistricting Commission. New districts in 2022 resulted in Democrats landing a majority in both Chambers and creating their first “trifecta” in 40 years. The 2024 election flipped the House back to Republican control under Speaker Matt Hall (R)
The high number of ticket splitters and independents in Michigan means that any candidate’s coattails are short. A strong top of the ticket candidate’s popularity rarely extends lower down the ticket. While Michigan voters may cast a ballot by straight ticket, most voters choose to go line-by-line to pick candidates. As proof, Michiganders elected Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D) and President Donald Trump (R) on the same ballot. Each election year cumulative votes for the Legislature lagged the winning candidate at the top of the ticket. A notable recent example is 2022 when Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) carried the state by ten points, while House Democrats carried the state by only 1 point.
The Legislative Branch
Serving as a state legislator is a difficult profession. It is difficult for the office holder, and it is difficult for their families. For example, Rep. Greg Markkanen (R) has a 550-mile weekly commute to Lansing from his home in Hancock. Members of the 110-member House of Representatives represent roughly 90,000 constituents, while the 38 Senators represent approximately 260,000. District sizes geographically range from multiple counties in Northern Michigan to slices of the city of Detroit.
Members of the House and Senate sometimes leave more lucrative careers for the job that pays $71,685. The result is many legislators who are at the beginning of their career and those nearing retirement. Sixty-seven of the 138 legislators (48.5%) are either under 35 or older than 60.
Both houses of the Legislature meet Tuesday through Thursday when in session. The Senate session starts in the morning, and committees meet through the afternoon. The House follows the opposite schedule. The Legislature also recesses for most of the summer (longer in election years), Thanksgiving and the Christmas holidays.
Proposal 1 of 2022 revised Michigan’s 30-year-old term-limit law. It repealed term-limits by chamber (3 in the House and 2 in the Senate) and replaced them with a 12-year limit on legislative service and financial transparency measures for public officials.
Committee hearings are focused on broad policy matters and/or specific pieces of legislation. It is rare for a bill to receive a hearing and be reported during the same meeting. Stakeholders are given an opportunity to provide public testimony and discuss any amendments with the sponsor and the committee chair before the bill moves to the floor for consideration. Adding amendments during the committee process is a considerably more effective tactic than waiting until floor debate when most issues and amendments have already been resolved.
Not all committees are created equal. Legislators jockey for precious spots on certain key committees. The chairs of the appropriations committees are typically close confidantes of their caucus leader with the responsibility to shepherd through a $80 billion plus state budget (see page 6). Other sought-after committees create the ability for the chair and other members ability to pass important policies… and raise money for their caucus. Influential committees include those with jurisdiction over health care, energy, tax policy and regulatory issues (including liquor and cannabis).
FAQ’s
Which legislator should I meet first if I want to work on a piece of legislation?
Begin with the Senator and Representative who represent where you live or your organization operates. They are elected to represent their constituents and are your natural first point of contact.
Next, identify the committee of jurisdiction for your issue. Committee chairs and vice chairs are essential in early conversations because they understand and control the committee’s priorities and the path any bill must take.
Examples:
Liquor control issues → Regulatory Reform Committee
Tax issues → Tax Policy/Finance Committee
Health care issues → Health Policy Committee
Education issues → Education/K–12 Committee
Can I testify in front of a legislative committee?
Yes. Committee hearings are public, and anyone may offer testimony. Committee chairs may limit testimony due to scheduling issues.
Ways to Testify
Written Testimony– Submit to the committee clerk; it is distributed to all members
In-Person Testimony (recommended) – Fill out a card (they are available in each committee room) at the hearing; the chair will call individuals to the microphone, usually for 2–3 minutes focusing on issues that have not been covered
Virtual Testimony – Some committees allow remote testimony; arrangements must be made with the clerk in advance
Submit a Card – Individuals and groups can submit a card that indicates support or opposition. The chair will read those cards prior to the committee vote
Committee schedules are posted publicly on legislature.mi.gov.
How does the state budget process work, and why does it take so long?
Michigan’s budget process involves multiple steps and several institutions, which makes it lengthy and complex. While the process has remained similar for decades, recent years have seen changes in the process which makes it increasingly fluid and difficult to navigate. Additionally, satisfying multiple disparate stakeholders makes this a difficult dance.
Major Budget Procedures
Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) – January
The House Fiscal Agency, Senate Fiscal Agency, and Department of Treasury jointly estimate how much revenue the state will have in the upcoming fiscal year, setting the framework for major budget conversations
Governor’s Executive Budget Recommendation – February
Using the CREC numbers, the governor proposes a full fiscal year budget reflecting the administration’s priorities.
Legislative Subcommittees Review – February–May
Each chamber assigns portions of the budget to subject-matter subcommittees (Health, K-12, Transportation, etc.).
subcommittees review, amend, and adopt their own versions.
House and Senate Pass Their Budgets
Each chamber approves its version of the budget, establishing the chamber’s priorities for future negotiations and sends it to the opposite chamber for further review and revisions.
May Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference
Revenue estimates are updated based on new data and set the final revenues for the final budget.
Joint Negotiations and Targets – June
Leadership from the House, Senate, and the governor’s office negotiate differences on major issues and provide subcommittee chairs with “targets” – the financial target for individual budgets to hit.
Final Passage
The work product of individual subcommittee chairs is inserted into two bills, an omnibus for general state government spending and a “school bus” for education spending.
A final note, in 2025 the legislature passed legislation that requires that any legislatively directed spending (earmark) to through a new public review, with restrictions on recipients. This is a codification of the House process under Speaker Matt Hall (R).
Who are the important staff to know in the legislative branch?
Leadership Staff
Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the House
Chief of Staff to the Senate Majority Leader
Budget Advisor to the Appropriations Chair
Floor Directors for the Majority Floor Leaders
These staffers direct strategy, set priorities, and control the flow of legislation.
Caucus Staff (House and Senate, Democratic and Republican)
Policy staff – Research issues and draft legislation
Communications staff – Shape messaging and media outreach
Constituent services staff – Manage constituent concerns and district outreach
Nonpartisan Staff
House Fiscal Agency and Senate Fiscal Agency – Provide budget analysis, fiscal notes, and neutral policy guidance
Clerk of the House and Secretary of the Senate – Oversee procedural and administrative operations
These nonpartisan offices play an essential role in maintaining legislative continuity and credibility.
How have Michigan’s term limits changed?
In 2022, Michigan voters approved revisions to the state’s existing term limits law.
Old System (pre-2022)
Up to 6 years in the House
Up to 8 years in the Senate
14 years total, but split between chambers
New System (2022–present)
12 years total
May be served entirely in one chamber or split between both
Impact of the Change
Greater stability in the House, as members are no longer pressured to seek Senate seats prematurely
More first-time candidates running directly for the Senate
A gradual increase in institutional knowledge, especially in the House
Constitutional Amendments and Ballot Initiatives
FAQ’s
How do you amend the Michigan Constitution?
Amending Michigan’s Constitution is deliberately difficult—unless you arrive with significant resources and a sophisticated organization. There are two paths:
Legislative Referral
The Legislature can place a proposed constitutional amendment directly on the ballot with a two-thirds vote in both chambers.
Example: Proposal 1 of 2015 – Failed Road funding proposal
Citizen-Initiated Constitutional Amendment
Citizens can propose an amendment by gathering signatures equal to 10% of the votes cast for governor in the last election—currently about 445,000 valid signatures—all within 180 days.
Once certified by the Board of Canvassers, the amendment goes straight to the voters for approval or rejection.
Example: Proposal 3 of 2022 – abortion rights protections.
Are ballot initiatives only used for constitutional amendments?
No. Michigan also allows citizen-initiated laws, which sit in a middle ground between “ordinary statute” and “super statute.”
Once the voters approved the referendum, it becomes state law – and, by constitutional design, the Legislature can amend it only with a three-quarters vote in each chamber.
What happens once citizens gather enough signatures for a proposed law?
For a citizen-initiated law, the signature requirement is 8% of the votes cast for governor in the last election.
Once those signatures are submitted and validated, the Legislature has 40 days to choose one of three paths:
Enact the proposal directly. No changes, no veto.
Example: PA 1 of 1976 – the bottle bill
Let Voters Decide
If lawmakers don’t act, the proposal automatically goes to the ballot at the next general election.
Example: Proposal 1 of 2018 – Cannabis legalization
4. Can ballot initiatives repeal existing laws?
Yes. Michigan allows referenda to repeal recently passed laws.
Citizens must gather signatures equal to 5% of the vote for governor in the last election.
Once those signatures are certified:
The targeted law is immediately suspended.
It stays suspended until voters approve or reject it at the next general election. A simple majority decides the outcome.
Example: the successful repeal of Public Act 4 in 2012, the emergency manager law
The Executive Branch and State Departments
The Governor’s cabinet consists of the directors of up to 20 departments. Other leaders such as the State Budget Director are often considered part of the cabinet as well. The 1963 Constitution dramatically reduced the number of elected members of the executive branch in Michigan. However, the Governor does not oversee every executive function of state government. In addition to the elected Attorney General and Secretary of State, the Department of Education and the state’s three largest research universities are governed by elected boards.
Who are the key players in the Governor’s Office?
The Governor’s Chief of Staff is always the ultimate gate keeper and top voice of authority to execute the Governor’s mission. Additionally, the Executive Office of the Governor is organized internally and has leads for policy development, legislative strategy, communications, legal counsel, appointments and constituent relations. Each of these offices can play a part in an effective advocacy strategy.
Which cabinet members are important to know?
The answer depends on your goals for engagement. Organizations looking to become state contractors should look at the Department of Technology Management and Budget (DTMB) or other capital-intensive departments like MDOT. Relationships with leaders in the Department of Health and Human Services influences health care providers. The Department of Treasury interprets and administers tax law. It is important to have a clear idea of your desired outcome and the ability to identify the right person to help you solve it.
Who are the other key players in the executive branch?
These are some of the most influential organizations in state government that are not officially part of the Governor’s cabinet but often have strong influence on policy than the state departments that house them:
State Budget Office (SBO)
Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC)
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)
Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA)
Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC)
Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA)2026 Election
Is this the “most important election of our lifetimes?”
This will certainly be an historic election that will transform Michigan’s political landscape for decades. While every seat in the Michigan House and Senate is up for grabs, new faces will be elected to the following offices:
Governor/Lt. Governor
Attorney General
Secretary of State
United States Senator
Up to 6 members of the U.S. House Delegation.
Are there any ballot initiatives this year?
There are several ballot initiatives that are in various states of signature gathering. There is one ballot initiative certain to be on the ballot. The Constitution requires that voters be given the opportunity to call a new constitutional convention every 16 years. Michigan’s current constitution was put in place in 1963. The question has been regularly voted down handily in past elections. Increased voter frustration, rising populism and some institutional support make a constitutional convention a real possibility.
Voters may also see ballot initiatives addressing the following issues:
Property tax repeal
Proof of citizenship to register to vote
Ban political contributions by utilities and state contractors
Who makes up the field for the Governor’s race?
Early polling indicates that Republican primary voters prefer U.S. Rep. John James (R) in a race that has gotten tighter as we draw closer to the primary. President Trump’s endorsement of James should put him firmly in the driver’s seat. However, businessman Perry Johnson has poured millions of his own money into a blitz of advertising to put him in contention. Former Attorney General Mike Cox remains a dark horse with some polls placing him within striking distance of James and Johnson. James is counting on two strong showings against Former Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D)and Sen. Gary Peters (D). James has also twice run in and won election to Congress in a 50/50 seat.
Democrats are rallying to Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D). She has created a national profile for her active role in administering elections. In addition, she benefits from the name recognition bump for a Secretary of State. Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist (D) departed the race to run for Secretary of State in January. Genessee County Sheriff Chris Swanson (D) continues to try and grab a foothold in a primary that Benson is running away with.
How about the U.S. Senate?
The Senate race features a increasingly hot three-person primary on the Democratic side. U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D) is vacating her safe seat in Congress to run against past Wayne County Health Department head Abdul El-Sayed (D). Media sponsored polling is sparse, and conventional wisdom suggests this will come down to El-Sayed harnessing the energy of the Democratic Socialist movement, Stevens support from establishment Democrats like former Senator Stabenow and Chuck Schumer.
Fundraising and polling show that all three are viable contenders to take on Former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R) who narrowly lost to Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D) by 19,000 votes in 2024. Rogers has nominal GOP opposition and the endorsement of President Trump. He will face off against the Democratic nominee in one of the nation’s most closely watched races. Michigan Republicans last won a U.S. Senate race in 1994.
How will Michigan’s congressional delegation change?
It will change, perhaps significantly. Rep. Stevens and Rep. James seeking higher office means that both of their seats will be open. Stevens’ Oakland County based district is reliably Democratic, but James’ Macomb County centered seat leans Republican and is closely contested biannually. Multiple other districts are expected to be competitive including.
District 4 – Southwest Michigan, Holland, St. Joseph, Kalamazoo
District 7 – Lansing, Brighton
District 8 – Flint, Midland, Saginaw, Bay City
District 13 – Detroit, Downriver (Democratic primary)
What is at stake for the Legislature?
For the first 183 years of Michigan history, the Legislature was responsible for drawing legislative and congressional districts. This process was controlled by both Democrats and Republicans at different points in history. Most recently, Republicans held majorities in the Legislature in 20 of the last 24 years before the 2020 census. In 2018, a ballot initiative took redistricting out of the hands of legislators and created a non-partisan redistricting commission. Democrats eked out razor-thin majorities in the House and Senate in 2022, while Rep. Matt Hall (R) took the speaker’s gavel after leading the Republicans back to the majority.
With every seat in both chambers facing voters in 2026 and expected close battles for the majority, look at fundraising numbers and past performance to determine which seats will be critical. Peninsula Public Affairs’ analysis suggests that 9 toss-up districts in the House will determine who holds the Speaker’s gavel. Democrats have the pole position in the Senate after Sen. Chedrick Greene won a special election by 19 points in a formerly toss-up district. Democrats are banking on winning 19 districts where they are strongly favored and winning 1 of 4 toss-up districts to claim an outright majority. Those interested in a more detailed analysis including individual districts and legislators should email brad@peninsulapublicaffairs.com.
What other races should I follow?
The Michigan Republican and Democratic parties have endorsed their candidates for all statewide offices. Notably, after a disastrous performance down ballot in 2022, Republicans endorsed popular local officials in Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini (R) for Secretary of State and Eaton County Prosecutor Doug Lloyd (R).
Progressive activists carried the day over organized labor at the Democratic convention. Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit (D) was the unexpected victor in the race for Attorney General and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist (D) won the endorsement with the backing of progressive groups and organized labor.
Policy Briefs
Economic Development
In the FY 2025 – 2026 budget and the corresponding road funding package (pg. 22) the Legislature and Governor defunded the state’s primary economic development tool, the Strategic Outreach Action Reserve (SOAR) fund. Legislators and the Governor agreed to work together on new economic development tools with more oversight and fewer corporate incentives. Expect the Legislature to begin work in early 2026 on a package of bills. The package is likely to include both broad and targeted programs to allow employers to collect tax revenue based on new jobs created. An increase on the cap on transformational brownfields has already passed the Senate and will allow major projects, like the reinvention of the Renaissance Center in Detroit, to move forward.
Additionally, data centers are a flashpoint as in the rest of the country. Governor Gretchen Whitmer argues that Michigan can lead the nation in data center development with strong regulations that protect Michigan water and electric ratepayers. Conversely, a number of legislators on both sides of the aisle voice concerns ranging from general opposition to economic development incentives to protecting local governments from unwanted infrastructure.
Opportunities
Shaping policy to ensure important sectors are represented
Acquiring MEDC support for new job creation and/or capital investment
Utilize the Talent Acquisition Team to find the right employees
Key Contacts
Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)
Quentin Messer Jr., Chief Executive and Economic Competitiveness Officer – qmesser@michigan.gov
Senate Economic and Community Development Committee
Chair – Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D) – senmmcmorrow@senate.michigan.gov
Minority Vice Chair – Sen. Roger Victory (R) – senrvictory@senate.michigan.gov
House Economic Competitiveness Committee
Chair – Rep. Mike Hoadley (R) – mikehoadley@house.mi.gov
Minority Vice Chair – Rep. Kristian Grant (D) – kristiangrant@house.mi.gov
Tax Policy
Unique to Michigan, many tax policy proposals are limited by the Constitution. The 1963 Constitution precludes a graduated income tax, caps the sales and use tax at 6% (and directs the revenue) and limits property tax growth.
Business taxpayers in Michigan are taxed under the 6% corporate income tax (C corps) or the 4.25% personal income tax. The Legislature passed legislation decoupling the corporate income tax from federal changes in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in 2025.
Potential tax issues include a reduction in the personal income tax rate to 4.05% or even outright elimination as supported by all GOP candidates for Governor and giant reductions if not outright elimination of property taxes on individuals pushed by Speaker Hall. Supporters of these large tax cuts have not yet identified how they intend to backfill revenue to reduce spending.
Detroit Mayor Mary Sheffield supports a tax on event and entertainment tickets to reduce Detroiter’s property taxes. In 2024 Mayor Duggan and Detroit legislators supported a land value tax package which would split property taxes between the value of the property and the value of any structures on the property. This would increase taxes on vacant land and reduce them on built-out properties.
Opportunities
Create credits and exemptions to spur economic activity
Enhance programs like the Working Families Tax Credit.
Work with the Department of Treasury and the State Tax Commission to interpret tax law and provide important clarification
Key Contacts
Department of Treasury
Rachel Eubanks, State Treasurer – treasexecdirector@michigan.gov
Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee
Chair – Sen. Mary Cavanagh (D) – senmcavanagh@senate.michigan.gov
Minority Vice Chair – Sen. Mark Huizenga (R) – senmhuizenga@senate.michigan.gov
House Finance Committee
Chair – Rep. Mark Tisdel – marktisdel@house.mi.gov
Minority Vice Chair – Rep. Jason Hoskins – jasonhoskins@house.mi.gov Regulatory Reform
Regulatory Reform
In her 2025 State of the State address, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer – in announcing an effort to reform Michigan’s regulatory environment stated “You shouldn’t need to get a permit to sell ginseng, install a model train or lime your soil. If you want to fix your driveway, you shouldn’t have to wait more than 90 days to get started.” As the Governor has taken executive action to implement changes, House members have taken up legislation implementing the recommendations of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
The Legislature has limited oversight of the executive branch’s rules and regulations. Prior to 2000, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR), made up of 5 members from each chamber, could block an executive rule or regulation. The Michigan Supreme Court ruled in Blank v. Department of Corrections that JCAR cannot veto executive branch actions, thus limiting JCAR’s responsibility to reviewing rules without the ability to reject them except by public act.
Opportunities
Provide opportunities for the committees of interest to hear from impacted parties of individual regulations
Identify burdensome or duplicative rules and regulations that slow down your opportunities to grow
Develop relationships with key regulatory bodies within LARA (Liquor Control Commission, Public Service Commission, Cannabis Regulatory Agency and the Michigan Tax Tribunal
Key Contacts
Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Marlon Brown, Director – lara-info@michigan.gov
Senate Regulatory Affairs Committee
Chair – Sen. Jeremy Moss (D) – senjmoss@senate.michigan.gov
Minority Vice Chair – Senator Roger Hauck (R) – senrhauck@senate.michigan.gov
House Regulatory Reform Committee
Chair – Rep. Joe Aragona (R)– josepharagona@house.mi.gov
Minority Vice Chair – Rep. Tulio Liberati (D) – tulioliberati@house.mi.gov
Education
Important stakeholders in education policy support significantly different approaches to education policy. Universally, all education policy watchers agree that Michigan’s education system has fallen behind other states, evidenced by our ranking in 4th grade reading scores (44th of 50).
The challenge lies in approaches to solve the problem. On one side are school choice advocates who promote the rights of students and parents to choose a private or charter school. Further, multiple education advocates support transparency in school performance, higher standards for teachers, and targeted investment in remediation programs to bring students up to speed. Some other stakeholders, including teachers unions, argue that Michigan underfunds its school system and is losing the talent war to recruit and retain the best teachers. Organizations such as Launch Michigan attempt to thread the needle and find policy solutions that reflect an acceptable compromise to all parties.
The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) is headed by Superintendent of Public Instruction who is appointed by an elected State Board of Education. Governors of both parties have tried to pry responsibility away from the MDE for decades, moving functions to the Department of Treasury and the newly created Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential (MILEAP).
Michigan’s 13 public universities are each governed by an individual board. The boards for the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Wayne State University are elected statewide. The remainder of state university boards are appointed for a fixed term by the governor. After recent controversies on the Michigan State board, some are looking to replace elected boards with boards appointed by the Governor.
Like many states, the cost of higher education has spiraled as state appropriations have declined, and universities continue to increase spending. Michigan attempts to address this via a variety of dual enrollment efforts, savings programs and the newly created MI Achievement Scholarship.
Opportunities
Create pathways to careers that impact your organization, requiring any level of education
Increase funding for the Going Pro program to upskill workers
Advocate for new instructional models that improve outcomes
Key Contacts
Department of Education
Dr. Glen Maleyko, State Superintendent – genoffice@michigan.gov
Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential
Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea, Executive Director – mileap@michigan.gov
Senate Education Committee
Chair – Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D) – sendpolehanki@senate.michigan.gov
Minority Vice Chair – Sen. John Damoose (R) – senjdamoose@senate.michigan.gov
House Education Committee
Chair – Rep. Nancy DeBoer (R) – nancydeboer@house.mi.gov
Minority Vice Chair – Rep. Jimmie Wilson (D) – jimmiewilson@house.mi.gov
Energy
Michigan has a regulated utility system, with legacy utilities controlling 90% of Michigan’s market. The utilities along with the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) decide what gets built and how much customers pay. The utilities must file long-term plans for future power generation, and the Public Service Commission approves or modifies those plans. A 2023 rewrite of the state’s energy law pushed Michigan toward cleaner power, including a 100% clean-energy standard by 2040, while aiming to keep the grid reliable and costs manageable.
The state, not local government, now has the final say on siting large wind and solar projects to speed development and avoid local gridlock. Utility rates will still require MPSC approval, and efficiency programs run under state-set targets. The overall system attempts a balancing act of managing statewide climate goals, local concerns, and the financial impact on ratepayers.
Opportunities
Advocate for new or underutilized technologies that can help meet the clean energy standards
Earn state support for wind and/or solar developments
Create favorable energy prices for economic development projects
Key Contacts
Department of Great Lakes Energy and Environment
Phil Roos, Director – egle-assist@michigan.gov
Michigan Public Service Commission
Dan Scripps, Chair – LARA-MPSC-commissioners@michigan.gov
Senate Energy and Environment Committee
Chair – Sen. Sean McCann (D) – sensmccann@senate.michigan.gov
Minority Vice Chair – Sen. Dan Lauwers (R) – sendlauwers@senate.michigan.gov
House Energy Committee
Chair – Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R) – paulinewendzel@house.mi.gov
Minority Vice Chair – Rep. Joey Andrews (D) – joeyandrews@house.mi.gov
Transportation
After dozens of attempts to provide additional long-term funding for Michigan’s worst in the nation road system, the Legislature acted in 2025 to provide significant new funding into roads. The new package is expected to raise $2.7 billion and increase to $3 billion as the economy grows. A problem that has vexed policy makers in the past – Michigan’s sales tax applied to gasoline but was not dedicated to road funding – was finally put to bed. The sales tax is largely dedicated to schools, so any drop in sales tax revenue has an outsized impact on public schools. Legislators eliminated the sales tax on gas, added an equivalent increase in the gas tax and decided to replace the funds for schools with general funds. Additionally, the package put a 24% wholesale tax on legal marijuana sales.
Michigan’s struggle with state trunklines (US and M roads), is being curbed by a multi-year bonding program that puts billions into the roads. Most of the new funding is directed toward local roads via a 75-year-old formula that advantages rural areas over urban and suburban communities.
Residents of metro-Detroit live in the largest region in the USA without a coordinated regional transit system. A ballot initiative to fund the system via property taxes lost by 18,000 votes in 2016. Current efforts add more coordination between SMART (suburban provider) and the Detroit Department of Transportation. New FAST routes run by SMART provide faster and more efficient services across the region’s main corridor. Wayne County is putting forth a milage 2026 that would eliminate the last “opt-out” communities in the region and continue to build a more comprehensive — if inadequate — transit system.
Opportunities
Work with MDOT and local road agencies to improve business development efforts
Support business through right-of-way access, infrastructure or local efforts
Create workforce transportation solutions that match Michigan’s diverse geography
Key Contacts
Michigan Department of Transportation
Brad Wieferich, Director – MDOT@Michigan.gov or poolee@michigan.gov
Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
Chair – Sen. Erika Geiss (D) – senegeiss@senate.michigan.gov
Vice Chair – Sen. Joe Bellino (R) – senjbellino@senate.michigan.gov
House Committee on Transportation
Chair – Rep. Pat Outman (R) – patoutman@house.mi.gov
Vice Chair – Rep. Peter Herzberg (D) – peterherzberg@house.mi.gov
Let Peninsula Public Affairs Help
Peninsula Public Affairs understands that each client is unique. The firm approaches each client’s goals with a tailored approach and a strategy crafted to meet the client’s individual timeline. The right strategy is an ongoing process, consulting with the client, requiring adjustment and response to a shifting political environment. Peninsula Public Affairs ensures that clients are positioned to adapt as success requires timely communication to ensure clients are informed of key developments that allow you guide strategic decisions.
Brad Williams brings over 25 years of experience in the public policy arena including 17 years advocating for Southeast Michigan based businesses as Vice President of Government Relations for the Detroit Regional Chamber. Brad’s deep connections in Metro Detroit with business, philanthropic and local government leaders provide additional opportunities to benefit Peninsula Public Affairs clients.
While at the Chamber, he served as an executive on loan to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s transition team. He was part of the senior team planning the nationally recognized Mackinac Policy Conference, coordinating PAC fundraising, high profile debates for Governor, US Senate and Mayor and making key connections between businesses and policy makers. He was a spokesman for multiple ballot initiatives in Michigan and was instrumental in resolving Detroit’s municipal bankruptcy and authorizing the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge.
Prior to joining the Chamber, he had a decade of experience working on the staff of the Michigan Legislature and the Michigan Department of Transportation. He transitioned to his own practice in 2025 where his experiences in the legislature and leading advocacy on behalf of Michigan’s corporate and thought leaders uniquely positions him to deliver wins for clients.