MLC Insider Intelligence: December 5, 2025
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The Senate held session and committees met on Tuesday and Wednesday. The House did not meet this week.
Four Years as a Lobbyist: Most of MLC lobbyist Amber Chandler’s public policy career has been shaping policy from the inside of government or a non-profit. Before joining MLC, she had not spent time in the ranks of a traditional lobbyist. In fact, the idea she built was from watching “Thank You For Smoking” on repeat for years. However, her work as a multi-client lobbyist has deepened her policy expertise, giving her invaluable experience and truly understanding of the role. Amber’s time at MLC has shown her that the work lies at the intersection of business, advocacy, and public policy. A role that has been dynamic, at times challenging, and deeply rewarding.
Key Points: Building trust with stakeholders, whether legislators, agency officials, or grassroots advocates, is crucial and drives results. Success often depends on your ability to cultivate and maintain these connections over time. People remember who shows up, who listens, and who follows through. The best consultants are trusted not just for their expertise, but for their honesty and transparency. Equally important is adaptability. Government affairs is a fast-moving field. Legislative priorities shift, administrations change, and unexpected events (like a pandemic) can upend years of planning overnight. The ability to pivot, reassess strategies, and find new opportunities in changing circumstances has been vital to success.
Importance: Four years as a multi-client government affairs consultant have taught her that success is built on relationships, adaptability, and integrity. The work can be unpredictable, but it’s also an opportunity to make a real difference in how policies are shaped and implemented. For anyone considering this path, embrace continuous learning, seek out mentors, and always remember the value of listening and collaboration.
Senate Advances Telemarketing Reforms: In an effort to address the rising number of phone solicitations, the Senate Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection Committee reported legislation creating the Telephone Solicitation Act. The bipartisan package seeks to prohibit abusive, annoying, or deceitful behavior by solicitors. The package did receive some opposition during the hearing, including a few well-known organizations submitting cards of opposition, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the National Federation of Independent Businesses.
Key Points: The legislation prohibits calls to individuals who are on the do-not-call list, requires the solicitor to disclose certain information, and allows for penalties for those found in violation of the Act. If a person is thought to be violating the Act, the Attorney General must first notify them prior to initiating any civil action. If there is a violation following notification, the bills allow for civil fines of $10,000 to $100,000. Additionally, a person who suffered a loss due to the violation could bring civil action for damages and attorney’s fees. The legislation defines telephone solicitation and provides exemptions, including existing customers, communication for religious, political, public policy, or education purposes, or bona fide survey and opinion research, among others.
Next Steps: The legislation was referred to the Committee of the Whole for consideration by the full chamber.
Task Force Appointments Announced: This week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointments to several boards and commissions, including the Dual Enrollment Task Force.
Appointments: Brandy Johnson, President of the Michigan Community College Association (an MLC client), was appointed for a term commencing December 4, 2025, and expiring September 30, 2026. She previously worked as executive director of the Michigan College Access Network and as a policy advisor to Governors Whitmer and Granholm. Vanessa Keesler, President and CEO of Launch Michigan, was also appointed for the same term. She previously served as deputy superintendent of the Michigan Department of Education and as senior project director at AEM Corporation.
Dual Enrollment Task Force: It was established by the Michigan Legislature in the FY25-26 state budget. Housed within the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential, its purpose is to study, develop, and recommend policies to improve dual enrollment access, oversight, and alignment across this state’s K-12 and postsecondary education institutions.
Funding Awarded to Expand Broadband: Michigan was awarded $920 million in federal funds to administer the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This is the single largest investment in high-speed internet infrastructure in Michigan and the nation’s history. Furthermore, the private sector will contribute $550 million in matching funds.
Key Points: The total funding will connect nearly 200,000 homes, businesses, and institutions. More than 31,000 miles of fiber-optic infrastructure will be deployed over the next four years to connect the unserved and underserved areas in Michigan.
BEAD Program: The program is the largest single investment in high-speed internet infrastructure in our nation’s history. It’s a competitive grant program, with applicants proposing projects to build reliable high-speed internet infrastructure. While administered by the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, each state and territory is implementing the program in its own way within the federal guidelines. The Michigan High-Speed Internet Office is the entity implementing BEAD within our state.
Gun Violence Task Force Releases Report: The Michigan Gun Violence Prevention Task Force released its report outlining recommendations designed to reduce gun violence. Developed over the last year with input from a wide range of advocates, the report focuses on implementing what members believe are proven strategies. The Task Force was created by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2024 through executive order.
Recommendations: The Task Force recommends requiring waiting periods for all firearm purchases, increasing the age of purchase to 21, and banning ghost guns. Additionally, they propose removing barriers to filing Extreme Risk Protection Orders and Personal Protection Orders. In schools and communities, the Task Force recommends strengthening existing school safety legislation, ensuring students who are struggling can get the help they need, standardizing training for school resource officers and promoting a single school safety tip line statewide, and supporting community violence intervention efforts.
Assault Weapons: The Task Force is recommending that Michigan prohibit the possession of large capacity magazines, in addition to the sale, possession, manufacture, or transfer of assault weapons. Furthermore, they’re recommending a ban on automatic conversion devices that convert semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic guns.
Spotlight On Representative Kathy Schmaltz: Representative Schmaltz (R-Jackson) is serving her second term in the Michigan House of Representatives. Prior to her election, she had a long career in news, starting off working in radio for a few years. Then, Representative Schmaltz moved into television, working as a news anchor, writer, and associate news director. She graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts.
District: She represents the 46th House District, which includes the city of Jackson, Blackman and Leoni townships, and parts of Grass Lake and Summit townships, as well as the city of Chelsea and Sylvan Township in Washtenaw County.
Committees: Representative Schmaltz serves as chair of the Families and Veterans Committee. She’s a member of the following committees: Energy, Health Policy, and Communications and Technology.
We asked Representative Schmaltz a few questions to learn more about her:
What’s your favorite travel destination outside of Michigan?
A – Wherever my son Chris wants to meet us, which is usually Orlando, so we can hit Disney, Universal, and the beach. I like visiting the parks because everyone is so happy there. He lives in Santa Monica, so that’s another favorite destination.
What’s your favorite hobby other than politics?
A – I love watching Tigers baseball games and going to Comerica Park. Visiting my family, traveling up north, and going for walks are my favorite things to do.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A – I wanted to be a teacher. I used to set up school for my younger brothers and sisters and pretend to be their teacher. I was in the theatre, so an actress was another idea. And looking to the future, I always wanted to be a mom.
What’s your favorite game to play or sport to watch and/or play?
A – Baseball. I love to watch all Detroit pro sports teams, and of course, March Madness is fun. I also like to manage our State House Charity Softball game. It’s fun to strategize, and by the way, the House GOP is 3-0
Next Week: The House and Senate are scheduled to hold their typical Tuesday–Thursday session schedule. On December 10 and 11, the Michigan Supreme Court will hear oral arguments at the Michigan Hall of Justice in Lansing.
We extend a warm welcome to our new clients, Satoshi Action Fund and the Carlyle Group.