MLC Insider Intelligence: June 18, 2026
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The House and Senate held session and committee hearings Tuesday through Thursday.
Budget Update: The House and Senate have each passed their versions of the state budget. Several areas of difference are continuing to be negotiated between the chambers and the executive office.
Senate Passes Voting Rights Act: This week, along party lines, the Michigan Senate passed a package of bills establishing the Michigan Voting Rights Act (MVRA), which aims to establish state-level voting protections.
Background: The bills were introduced by members of the Senate Democratic Caucus along with input from Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and numerous advocacy organizations, including the NAACP Michigan State Conference and the Brennan Center for Justice. The bills are reintroductions from the prior term, which passed the Senate but didn’t receive a vote in the House of Representatives.
Key Points: The bill package would prohibit voter denial, dilution, and/or suppression and provide remedies for violations and create a nonpartisan and transparent voter institute and database to provide a center for research, training, and information on voting systems and election administration, with easy-to-access information in one location. Additionally, it requires and expands the jurisdictions that must translate election-related information into languages other than English and enhances and clarifies protections for voters with disabilities or who otherwise need assistance to vote.
Committee Considers Dynamic Pricing: This week, the House Regulatory Reform Committee heard testimony on two bills that would prohibit surveillance and dynamic pricing in Michigan.
Key Points: The bills amend the Michigan Consumer Protection Act and the Shopping Reform and Modernization Act to prohibit this type of pricing in the sale of goods and services. Surveillance pricing is a system that increases prices on a person-by-person basis, using information such as purchasing habits or internet search history. While dynamic pricing uses non-person-specific information such as date, time, weather, and location to change the cost of goods or services.
Next Steps: The bills remain before the committee awaiting further consideration.
May Revenue Increases: Michigan’s major taxes and net lottery revenue increased last month by 3.8%, totaling $2.7 billion. Projections for the month were approximately $368.4 million above the estimate adopted at the May Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference.
Key Points: General Fund General Purpose collections came in $285.1 million higher than estimates, as did School Aid Fund collections, which were $72.9 million more than projections. Combined sales and use tax receipts declined 4.1% from the prior year, totaling $1.1 billion. estimated. While use tax collections increased 7.1% from the prior year and totaled $8.3 million above estimates. Sales tax collections from motor vehicle sales declined 4.6% year-over-year.
Importance: The House and Senate will review the latest revenue numbers as they continue to work on the upcoming fiscal year’s state budget.
Governor On Investment Mission: On Monday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer kicked off a week-long investment mission in Europe, aiming to build upon current engagement with European partners to attract job-creating investments and foster diplomatic partnerships. While overseas, she will be the only governor to attend Eurosatory, the world’s leading conference on defense and security. Members of Team Michigan include Quention L. Messer, Jr, CEO of the MEDC, and Col. John T. Gutierrez, Executive Director of the Office of Defense and Aerospace Innovation
Key Points: Europe is a critical economic partner to Michigan, with a number of projects recently completed or announced. Since 2019, France-based companies have announced 56 investment projects in Michigan, totaling more than $4.6 billion in capital investment and creating 5,900 jobs. Belgium-based companies have announced seven investment projects, totaling more than $311 million and creating 464 jobs.
Meetings: Governor Whitmer met with leaders from projects that are currently in the works, including a $75 million facility by Saab, Inc., which will create 70 high-quality local jobs. Additionally, she met with American Rheinmetall Michigan, which announced a $31.7 million investment to establish a new corporate headquarters and engineering facility, creating 450 new jobs, and RENK Group, which recently announced expansion plans, creating 300 jobs.
Spotlight On Representative Kimberly Edwards: Prior to her election, she worked as a social worker.
District: The 12th Michigan House District includes northeast Detroit, Eastpointe, and St. Clair Shores.
Committees
Appropriations
Human Services Subcommittee, minority vice chair
State and Local Transportation Subcommittee
We asked Representative Edwards a few questions to learn more about her:
What’s your favorite travel destination outside of Michigan?
A – Dubai—I love the energy, culture, and food.
What’s your favorite hobby other than politics?
A – Designing and creating custom décor and gifts—it’s my creative outlet.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A – I wanted to be a therapist, and I’m grateful that I was able to follow that path.
What’s your favorite game to play or sport to watch and/or play?
A – I enjoy watching basketball—especially during playoff season.
Next Week: The House and Senate are scheduled to hold their typical Tuesday – Thursday session schedule.
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.
80th House District Primary Election Overview: After two terms serving in the House, Democratic Representative Phil Skaggs opted to run for a seat in the Michigan Senate. While the partisan split is close, Representative Skaggs has performed well in this seat, and it is likely the winner of the Democratic primary race will have a good shot at winning this November against the sole Republican candidate, Doug Lee.
District Overview: The district includes Cascade Township, Kentwood, East Grand Rapids, southern Grand Rapids Township, and a portion of Grand Rapids.
Democratic Candidates:
Lily Cheng-Schulting – Attorney, small business owner.
Kristen Fauson -Forest Hills Board of Education member, teacher, worked in nuclear elimination.
Kris Pachla – Teacher.
84th House District Primary Election Overview: After serving three terms in the House, Democratic Representative Carol Glanville chose to run for the Senate, leaving this seat open. While the base is a near 50-50 split, Representative Glanville won her last election with 55% of the vote.
District Overview: The district includes Grandville, Walker, and Northwest Grand Rapids.
Democratic Candidates:
Justin Rackham
Khristian Silvis – Army Veteran and former Congressional aide.
89th House District Primary Election Overview: After serving four terms in the House, Republican Representative Luke Meerman opted not to run for reelection. This open seat has a 66.2% Republican base, meaning the winner of that primary will most likely win the seat in November.
District Overview: The district includes the townships of Allendale, Blendon, Chester, Polkton, Tallmadge, Wright, and the City of Coopersville in Ottawa County. Additionally, the district includes the townships of Casnovia, Egelston, Fruitport, Moorland, Ravenna, and Sullivan in Muskegon County, as well as part of the township of Tyrone in Kent County.
Republican Candidates:
Patrick Kapenga – Business and real estate.
Joe Moss – Ottawa County Commissioner, accountant, business owner.