MLC Insider Intelligence: June 26, 2026
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The House and Senate met for their typical Tuesday-Thursday session and committee schedule.
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. It was announced this week that Governor Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Brinks, and Speaker Hall have reached a deal on the budget framework.
DHHS Director Leaving: Elizabeth Hertel, Director of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced her resignation, effective June 30. She was first appointed to the role by Governor Whitmer in 2021.
Key Points: Governor Whitmer has appointed Amy Epkey to serve as the acting director, beginning July 1. She previously held the senior deputy director position for the Financial Operations Administration at the department. Prior to DHHS, Ms. Epkey has held a number of roles throughout state government, including senior deputy director for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, and roles within the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. Ms. Epkey has a Bachelor of Business Administration from Grand Valley State University.
DHHS: DHHS administers dozens of programs to improve the health, safety, and prosperity of state residents. It works hand-in-hand with hundreds of partners at the local and regional levels to provide needed services. The department has the largest budget, totaling $30 billion, and has over 15,000 employees.
Gubernatorial Race: This week, there were two major updates in the Republican primary race for governor. First, President Donald Trump announced his endorsement of Congressman John James in the race for governor. Following that announcement, Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt announced that he is suspending his campaign.
Candidates: At this time, we don’t know how this will impact the remaining candidates’ decisions to remain in the race. The additional candidates in the Republican primary race are former Attorney General Mike Cox and businessman Perry Johnson.
Midterm Election: Michigan’s primary election will be held on Tuesday, August 4.
Senate Passes Housing Affordability Proposal: This week, the Michigan Senate passed a bill increasing avenues for affordable housing through the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Specifically, it would expand eligibility for the Michigan Housing and Community Development Program to include middle-income Michigan residents. The bill is part of the Senate Democrats’ A Michigan You Can Afford plan, aiming to lower the cost of living for Michigan residents.
Key Points: The Michigan Housing and Community Development Fund helps residents find affordable housing and revitalizes downtown areas and adjacent neighborhoods. Introduced by Senator Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.), the bill states that an individual, family, or unrelated individuals living together whose adjusted household income is not more than 120% of the area’s median income would qualify for assistance. The bill was referred to the House Regulatory Reform Committee for consideration.
Importance: “So many hardworking families can’t find housing they can afford and are being priced out of Michigan,” said Senator Shink. “This legislation is a step in the right direction to address the housing crisis and connect people with existing resources that can build — and keep — strong communities right here in our state.”
Medical Debt Forgiveness Passes: The Michigan House of Representatives passed legislation addressing the growing problem of medical debt in Michigan. This is the latest legislation addressing medical debt to see movement. In March, the Senate passed its version of reforms.
Key Points: The legislation requires all hospitals in Michigan to maintain financial assistance programs, based on income and financial need, to help patients who can’t afford care. Hospitals would also be required to clearly communicate available assistance options to patients before bills are sent to collections. It bars medical creditors from reporting debt to credit agencies and prohibits debt collectors from falsely threatening to report someone’s debt and expressly requires debt collectors to disclose their inability to report medical debt information. The legislation also requires hospitals to report data on their financial assistance programs to the state. Any penalties collected from violations would be directed toward efforts to further relieve medical debt for Michigan residents.
Next Steps: The bills were sent to the Senate for consideration and referred directly to the Committee of the Whole.
Changes to Work Share Program: Updates are planned for next month to the state’s Work Share Program, administered by the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). The change will give employers more options for adjusting work hours and preventing layoffs. The change was part of bipartisan legislation passed in December 2024. It’s designed to give employers more flexibility during temporary downturns while at the same time helping employees stay connected to their jobs and retain some of their lost pay. In 2025, the Work Share program prevented 1,458 layoffs and supported 14,392 weeks of work. Additionally, it saved the unemployment system approximately $6 million.
Key Points: Through Work Share, employers can reduce employee hours without laying off their trained and experienced workforce. Workers then receive partial unemployment benefits to offset some of their lost wages. Beginning the week of July 19, the allowable reduction in employee working hours for employers with an approved Work Share plan will expand from 15%-45% to 15%-60%.
Eligibility: To qualify, employers must maintain a positive UIA account balance, include all employees in the affected work unit, limit each plan to no more than 52 consecutive weeks, and exclude seasonal, temporary, or intermittent workers.
Spotlight on Representative Angela Witwer: Representative Angela Witwer (D-Delta Township) is serving her fourth term in the Michigan House of Representatives. She began her professional career in clinical health care and later worked in community relations and marketing for Sparrow. Representative Witwer then co-founded a public relations, marketing, and advocacy group.
District: The 76th House District includes Olivet, Walton Township, Brookfield Township, Hamlin Township, Eaton Rapids, Eaton Rapids Township, Eaton Township, Charlotte, Carmel Township, Vermontville Township, Chester Township, Benton Township, Potterville, Windsor Township, Delta Township, nearly all of Oneida Township, and SE Grand Ledge.
Committees
Health Policy, minority vice chair
Regulatory Reform
Protecting Michigan Employees and Small Businesses Select Committee
We asked Representative Witwer a few questions to learn more about her:
What’s your favorite travel destination outside of Michigan?
A – I love Rome and Ft. Lauderdale.
What’s your favorite hobby other than politics?
A – I have played golf since I was 8. It definitely is the most peaceful and best walk.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A – I wanted to drive bulldozers. I like to put things together and create.
What’s your favorite game to play or sport to watch and/or play?
A – I love golfing, and I absolutely love college basketball and watching my granddaughters play volleyball.
Next Week: The House and Senate are scheduled to hold their typical Tuesday – Thursday session schedule. In observance of Independence Day, MLC will be closed on Friday, July 3.
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.
90th House Primary Election Overview: Republican Representative Bryan Posthumus decided not to run for a fourth term in the House. The open seat has a 62.8% Republican base, making that primary race key to who is likely to represent the district next term. Among the candidates is former state representative Lynn Afendoulis, who previously served one term in the House.
District Overview: The district comprises the townships of Sparta, Alpine, Algoma, Courtland, Cannon, Grattan, Vergennes, and parts of Tyrone and Plainfield, as well as the City of Rockford.
Republican Candidates:
Lynn Afendoulis – Former state representative.
Susannah Watts – Nurse, small business owner.
Andrew Jackson Willis
Jordan Youngquist – Small business owner.
97th House Primary Election Overview: After two terms in the House, Republican Representative Matt Bierlein decided to run for a seat in the Michigan Senate. The open seat has a 60.1% Republican base, making that primary race key.
District Overview: The district includes portions of Bay, Genesee, Saginaw, and Tuscola counties.
Republican Candidates:
Briar Bearss – Army veteran, small business owner.
Mark Piotrowski – Saginaw County Commissioner.
101st House District Primary Election Overview: After serving two terms in the Michigan House, Republican Representative Joe Fox decided to run for an open seat in the Michigan Senate. The district has a strong 63.6% Republican base, making that primary election key to who will succeed Representative Fox.
District Overview: The district includes Newaygo and portions of Oceana, Lake, Mason, and Wexford counties.
Republican Candidates:
Gary Anderson – Business owner.
Jaxon Deur – Pilot, business owner.
Luke Eising – Farmer, business owner.
Ben Townsend – Author, former Springville Township deputy supervisor, and Wexford County Commissioner Board.
Rick Vance – Worked in construction.
1st Senate District Primary Election Overview: After serving 12 years in the Michigan Legislature, Democratic Senator Erika Geiss is term-limited from running for reelection. The district has a strong 74.4% Democratic base; thus, the winner of that primary is all but assured to win this November.
District Overview: The district includes Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, River Rouge, and portions of Allen Park, Detroit, and Taylor.
Democratic Candidates:
Abraham Aiyash – Former two-term State Representative, grassroots organizer, and former legislative staffer.
Justin Onwenu – City of Detroit director of Small Business Affairs, attorney, adjunct professor at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, and community organizer.
Thank you to our clients for joining us this week for our MLC Live! with Michigan Secretary of State and Democratic primary candidate for governor, Jocelyn Benson. During the forum, she shared her priorities if she wins the gubernatorial race this November, including driving down costs, ensuring safe communities, and clean air and water. Secretary Benson believes that a well-run state government can help achieve her priorities. Furthermore, she will work to ensure an economy and democracy that works for everyone.