MLC Insider Intelligence: July 3, 2026
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The House and Senate met on Wednesday and Thursday.
Legislature Passes State Budget: After a marathon, all-night session, the House and Senate voted to approve the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year beginning on October 1. The budget totals $75.191 billion and includes priorities from both sides of the aisle, the two chambers, and the governor. The two omnibus budgets will be sent to Governor Gretchen Whitmer for her signature.
General Omnibus Budget: The budget provides funding for Community Violence Intervention grants, natural disaster response, relief for prosecutor caseloads, and continuing revenue sharing to local communities. It provides funding to help people maintain access to Medicaid coverage and food benefits in response to changes from the federal government.
Education Omnibus Budget: The education omnibus includes a $250 increase to per-pupil funding and implements a new weighted funding formula. Additionally, it appropriates funding for school safety and mental health efforts, literacy supports, and new educator bonuses to help recruit and retain teachers and staff. The budget also continues funding for the Michigan Achievement Scholarship and Michigan Reconnect programs, which help residents gain the skills and training needed for in-demand jobs. The legislature also appropriated funding to continue the free school meals program and free pre-K for all.
Senate Honors MLC Founder: The Michigan Senate and Senator Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) paid tribute this week to the late MLC founder, Tom Cleary, who passed away in February. Joining his family were MLC Partner Brendan Ringlever and Ann Spagnuolo, who recently retired from MLC after 38 years.
Impact: After years working in and around state government, in 1965 Tom opened the first multi-client lobbying firm in Lansing, Michigan Legislative Consultants. He started the firm with one client and continued to grow the firm throughout his thirty years as president. The tribute was offered in recognition of his decades of dedication and hard work, which helped shape the landscape of lobbying as it is today.
Legislature Extends Energy Emergency: The House and Senate adopted a resolution this week that extends Michigan’s current state of energy emergency through September 15. The emergency declaration was issued by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on April 2. Under state law, the governor’s declaration would have expired after 90 days unless extended by the legislature.
Key Points: The declaration is aimed at saving drivers’ money at the gas pump by easing requirements on fuel blends, allowing the sale of higher-vapor-pressure gasoline, which is typically 10 to 20 cents cheaper. It suspends the May 1 requirement for lower vapor pressure gasoline in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, St. Clair, and Lenawee Counties. The eight counties impacted account for approximately five million Michiganders. Drivers outside of the areas will see similar savings because they are already permitted to sell cheaper fuel blends without seeking a waiver.
Federal Action: The United States Environmental Protection Agency has issued a temporary waiver of federal vapor pressure requirements to allow the production, distribution, and sale of different gasoline blends. This order brings the state in line with the waiver.
House Passes Changes to Youth Employment: The House of Representatives voted this week to make changes to youth employment rules in Michigan, most notably, the permits currently required to have a job. Currently, a minor under the age of 16 must get a work permit from their school district, public school academy, or nonpublic school before being employed.
Key Points: Introduced by Representative Mike Hoadley (R-Au Gres), it removes the requirement for minors to obtain work permits in Michigan. Employers would instead verify a minor’s age by keeping a copy of an age certificate from the student’s school or through a photocopy of a passport or visa. The bill requires schools to notify an employer if a student is not in good standing because of attendance problems, poor grades, or disciplinary issues. It also limits how many hours minors under the age of 16 can work, including no more than 8 hours per day when school is out, no more than 40 combined hours of school and work in one week, and no more than 6 workdays per week.
Next Steps: The bill will be sent to the Senate for consideration.
Gas Tax Holiday Proposed: Legislation was introduced this week addressing the high cost of gas in Michigan. Moreover, this would address high prices at the pump in perpetuity. According to AAA, the average cost of a gallon of gas in Michigan is $4.0860, while the national average is $3.8470.
Key Points: Introduced by Representative Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids), the legislation would suspend the state’s 52-cent-per-gallon gasoline tax once the average statewide gasoline price reaches $5.00 per gallon. Once the tax holiday is triggered, the suspension would remain in effect for three months. Revenue lost to the state during the suspension would be offset by transfers from the Budget Stabilization Fund.
Importance: “Michiganders are feeling squeezed every time they pull up to the pump. When gas prices skyrocket, people have to make tough choices between filling their tank and paying for groceries, rent or other essentials. This proposal is about giving people a little breathing room when they need it most,” Representative Skaggs said.
AI Reforms Introduced: Legislation aiming to protect individuals from the unauthorized commercial use of their name, likeness, voice, image, and other aspects of their identity was introduced. AI and other digital technologies are making it easier than ever to replicate a person’s appearance and voice; this proposal aims to address that.
Key Points: Introduced by Representative Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield), the bill creates the Identity, Consent, Ownership, and Name Rights (I.C.O.N.) Act. It establishes clear ownership rights over an individual’s identity and requires consent before those attributes can be used for commercial purposes. Additionally, the legislation preserves exemptions for news reporting, public affairs, commentary, scholarship, satire, parody, documentaries, and other protected expression.
Importance: “Your voice belongs to you. Your likeness belongs to you. And your personal data and identity should not become someone else’s product without your knowledge or consent,” Representative Hoskins said. “As A.I. becomes more powerful, we need laws that keep people in control of their own image, their own voice, and their own future. The I.C.O.N. Act makes clear that human beings own the rights to who they are, not A.I. companies, tech platforms, or bad actors.”
Spotlight On Representative Laurie Pohutsky: Representative Pohutsky (D-Livonia) is serving her fourth term in the Michigan House of Representatives. She began her professional career working in food safety, toxicology, and health care. Representative Pohutsky graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in microbiology.
District: The 17th House District includes portions of Northwest Detroit, North Redford Charter Township, and Northeast Livonia.
Committees:
Weaponization of State Government Oversight Subcommittee, minority vice chair
Oversight
Corporate Subsidies and State Investments Oversight Subcommittee
We asked Representative Pohutsky a few questions to learn more about her:
What’s your favorite travel destination outside of Michigan?
A – NYC hands down.
What’s your favorite hobby other than politics?
A – I love to bake and cook.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A – A rock star.
What’s your favorite game to play or sport to watch and/or play?
A – Football.
Next Week: The House and Senate are not scheduled to hold session next week. On Tuesday, July 7, the Democratic candidates for the open U.S. Senate seat will debate. It will be streamed live on WOOD TV8 from 7 – 8 p.m. Republican gubernatorial candidates will participate in two debates this week. The first will be held Wednesday, July 8, at 7 p.m. on FOX2 Detroit. The second debate will take place on Thursday, July 9, also at 7 p.m., hosted by WOOD TV8.
Leading up to the August 4 primary, we are highlighting key races shaped by voter demographics in the district. Candidate websites and professional backgrounds are listed when available.
2nd Senate District Primary Election Overview: Democratic Senator Sylvia Santana is term-limited and not able to run for reelection in the Senate, leaving this seat open. The district has a strong 74.2% Democratic base, making that primary key to who will represent the seat next term.
District Overview: The district includes all of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights and portions of Allen Park and Detroit.
Democratic Candidates:
Abbas Alawieh
Erin Byrnes – State Representative, former Dearborn City Councilwoman, educator.
3rd Senate District Primary Election Overview: After serving 12 years in the Michigan Legislature, Democratic Senator Stephanie Chang is term-limited from running for reelection. This open seat has an 80.8% Democratic base; thus, the winner of that packed primary race is all but assured to win in November.
District Overview: The district includes Hamtramck, Hazel Park, Highland Park, Madison Heights, and portions of Clawson, Detroit, Royal Oak, Sterling Heights, Troy, and Warren.
Democratic Candidates:
Mohammad Alam – Veteran
John Conyers III – Works in political strategy, communications, and economic development.
LeJuan Council – Small business owner.
LaTanya Garrett – Former state representative.
Korey Hall – Detroit office director for Governor Whitmer, former regional director for former U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.
Kimberly Hill Knott – Small business owner.
Adam Hollier – Former state senator, Veteran, served as director of the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency.
Gary Hunter
Toinu Reeves – Economist.
Abraham Shaw – Runs an automotive repair service.
Eboni Taylor
7th Senate District Primary Election Overview: After serving 12 years in the Michigan Legislature, Democratic Senator Jeremy Moss is term-limited from running for reelection. This open seat has a strong 73% Democratic base, making that race the key to who will represent this seat next term.
District Overview: The district includes Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Lake Angelus, Lathrup Village, Southfield, and portions of Detroit, Southfield Township, and Waterford Township.
Democratic Candidates:
Jason Hoskins – State representative, attorney, former legislative staffer.
Shadia Martini – Former professor at the University of Aleppo, small business owner.
Rakesh Ramakrishnan – Surgeon.
9th Senate District Primary Election Overview: Incumbent Republican Representative Michael Webber is running for his second term in the Michigan Senate. He previously served three terms in the Michigan House of Representatives. Republicans have a slight edge in this district with a 52.4% Republican base.
District Overview: The district includes Rochester, Rochester Hills, Troy, and Utica, and portions of Oakland and Shelby Townships, and Sterling Heights.
Democratic Candidates:
Theresa Brooks – Physician, small business owner, Troy City Council member.
Brendan Johnson – Former political analyst for the State Department, national security analyst for Elissa Slotkin, and chief of staff for a state representative.
Ren Nushaj – Attorney.