MLC Insider Intelligence: January 30, 2026
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The Senate held its typical Tuesday – Thursday session schedule, while the House met on Wednesday.
Special Primary Election Next Week: On Tuesday, residents of the 35th Michigan Senate District will head to the polls to vote in a special primary election. The seat has been open since former Senator and now Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet resigned in January 2025 following her election to the U.S. House. The winners of each primary will head to the special general election on May 5. If a Democratic candidate wins in May, the Michigan Senate would have a 20-18 majority. If the Republicans flip the seat, the chamber will have an even 19-19 split majority for the remainder of the year.
Democratic Candidates: Six candidates are running in the primary, including the President of the State Board of Education, Dr. Pamela Pugh. Additional candidates include Brandell Adams, a Bridgeport Township Trustee; Dr. Martin Blank, a physician and Veteran; Chedrick Greene, a fire captain; Dr. William Morrone, a physician and medical director of Recovery Pathways and the 18th Circuit and 35th Circuit Drug Courts; and Serenity Hope Salak, a teacher.
Republican Candidates: Four candidates are in this primary race, including Jason Tunney, an attorney; Chadwick Twillman, the executive director of a financial firm; Christian Velasquez, chief strategist of PointsNorth Group; and Andrew Carlos Wendt, a teacher.
Department Leadership Changes Announced: Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced changes in leadership at the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB) and the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA).
DTMB: Kyle Guerrant, current deputy state budget director, will serve as acting director of the department, following the resignation of current director Michelle Lange, effective January 31, 2026. Prior to his work with the State Budget Office, he served as deputy superintendent of finance and operations at the Michigan Department of Education and as Michigan’s interim state school reform officer in 2018. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a focus on child development, from Long Island University, and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan.
MVAA: Terry Sabo was named director of the agency. He will assume the role after current director Brian Love resigns on January 31, 2026. Mr. Sabo currently serves as deputy director at the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and is a member of the Muskegon County Veterans Advisory Board. He previously served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2017 to 2022, was a Muskegon County Commissioner for two terms, and a Muskegon County Road Commissioner for two years. Prior to his work with the state, he was a police officer and firefighter for 25 years.
Senate Passes Legislation Fighting Human Trafficking: Bipartisan legislation aimed at curbing human trafficking in Michigan was unanimously passed by the Senate this week. Earlier this term, a bipartisan group of lawmakers worked with Attorney General Dana Nessel to develop and introduce the legislation.
Key Points: Senate Bills 520 and 521 were introduced by Senator John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs), and SB 705 was introduced by Senator Sue Shink (D-Ann Arbor). The legislation increases current penalties for human trafficking from a 1o-year and/or $10,000 penalty to a 20-year and/or $20,000 penalty. The penalty for trafficking a minor would increase to life in prison and/or a $50,000 penalty. The bills were referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.
Importance: “The goal in crafting this package of bills was simple — to create laws whereby in the future, a significant number of people who would otherwise be subject to this exploitation will not be. And that’s the result I think we landed on.”
Medical Debt Protection Act Considered: This week, the Senate Finance, Insurance, and Consumer Protection Committee heard testimony on bipartisan legislation creating protections for those with medical debt. In Michigan alone, approximately 700,000 people have medical debt, while the number nationwide grows to more than 100 million.
Key Points: Senate Bills 701 and 702 were introduced by Senators Jonathan Lindsey (R-Coldwater) and Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), respectively. It prohibits charging interest or late fees on medical debt until 90 days have passed after the due date. Additionally, it places prohibitions on a large healthcare facility or medical debt buyer from charging a late fee or interest that exceeds 3% of the amount of debt per year. The legislation would prohibit collection actions such as arrest, property liens, or garnishing wages. The proposal does allow for these circumstances, in certain cases, once 120 days have passed, and with a 30-day notice. Lastly, a healthcare facility must refund an overpayment within 60 days.
Next Steps: The bills remain before the committee, awaiting further consideration.
Spotlight on Senator John Cherry: Senator Cherry (D-Flint) is serving his first term in the Michigan Senate, after serving two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. Prior to his election to the legislature, he served in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and was vice chair of the Flint Charter Commission. He graduated from the University of Michigan with a bachelor’s degree in natural resources and environment and a master’s in public policy.
District: He represents the 27th Senate District in Genesee County, which includes part of Burton and all of Clayton Township, Flint, Flint Township, Flushing, Flushing Township, Gaines Township, Grand Blanc, Grand Blanc Township, Mount Morris, Mount Morris Township, Mundy Township, and Swartz Creek.
Committees: Senator Cherry is the chair of the Labor Committee, the Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee, and the General Government Subcommittee and serves as the majority vice chair of the Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee. He’s a member of the following committees: Appropriations, Health Policy, Housing and Human Services, the Department of Environment and a member of the following subcommittees: the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity/MEDC.
We asked Senator Cherry a couple of questions to learn more about him:
What’s your favorite travel destination outside of Michigan?
A – Visiting my in-laws in Peru.
What’s your favorite hobby other than politics?
A – I don’t have a “favorite,” but I enjoy hunting, fishing, baseball, time with my kids, and card and board games.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A – A Paleontologist or a forester
What’s your favorite game to play or sport to watch and/or play?
A – My Favorite game to play is Magic the Gathering, and my favorite sport is baseball.
Next Week: The House and Senate are scheduled to hold their typical Tuesday – Thursday session schedule. On Tuesday, February 3, State Superintendent Dr. Glenn Maleyko will present to the House Appropriations School Aid and Department of Education Subcommittee. On Wednesday, February 4, the Michigan Civility Coalition is hosting a forum featuring four former Michigan Governors. Please click here for more information and to watch the livestream at noon.
Welcome to our newest client, WorkMoney!