MLC Insider Intelligence: May 1, 2026
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The House and Senate followed their typical Tuesday – Thursday session and committee schedule.
Budget Update: The Senate passed their version of the budget this week, containing many items of differences than last week’s House-passed version of the budget.
Committee Reports Energy Reforms: This week, the House Energy Committee reported two bills that would reform Michigan’s energy system. Most notably, it repeals the green energy mandates signed into law in 2023.
Key Points: Introduced by Representative Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet) and Representative Pat Outman (R-Six Lakes), the proposal repeals a 2023 law requiring electric providers to reach a 100% clean energy portfolio by 2040. Additionally, among several other requirements, it also repeals sections of the law requiring the state to assess energy conservation of its buildings, implement conservation policies, and reduce energy use during peak summer use seasons. It would require the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to determine if an integrated resource plan prioritizes reliability and affordability for customers and removes the requirement for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy to evaluate environmental and public health factors when issuing an advisory opinion.
Next Steps: The legislation was referred to the House floor for consideration.
Senate Moves State Budgets: This week, the Michigan Senate passed two omnibus budgets providing funding for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on October 1. The House passed its two omnibus budgets last week, and the Senate versions vary greatly from those.
Key Points: The Senate budget continues funding programs such as free school meals for all public K-12 students, Rx Kids, and tax credits for working families. Additionally, it provides targeted funding to provide downpayment assistance to first-generation homebuyers. On the education front, it increases the per-pupil funding and adds a new weighted funding formula. It provides $235 million for literacy, including early literacy coaches, school libraries, LETRS training, and curriculum supports, and $300 million for school safety and mental health efforts.
Next Steps: The House and Senate, along with the executive office, will continue negotiations on the budget. Under state law, a budget must be completed by July 1. However, there are no ramifications if that deadline is not met, as we saw last year.
Senate Moves Social Media Package: This week, legislation named the Kids Over Click package was passed by the Michigan Senate. The bills address the use of social media and certain technologies by minors.
Key Points: The four-bill package creates three new acts in Michigan. First, it creates the Stop Addictive Feeds Exploitation (SAFE) For Kids Act, which would prohibit social media platforms from providing personal data-driven feeds to minors unless parental consent is given. Second, it creates the Kids Code Act, mandating stricter data privacy and safety settings for minors on digital platforms, and giving parents more control over their children’s online accounts. Lastly, it creates the Leading Ethical AI Development (LEAD) for Kids Act, which would mandate that chatbots are inaccessible to children.
Next Step: The bill package was referred to the House Communications and Technology Committee for consideration.
New Legislative Caucus Announced: This week, the formation of the Michigan Building Trades Caucus was announced. The bipartisan, bicameral group will focus on strengthening Michigan’s skilled trades workforce and expanding opportunities for the next generation.
Key Points: The caucus will be chaired by Representative Ron Robinson (R-Utica), and Representative Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph) and Senator Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) will serve as the two vice chairs. It will serve as a collaborative forum for lawmakers and industry leaders to strengthen trades education, expand apprenticeship pathways, and address workforce shortages.
Importance: “Skilled trades are the backbone of Michigan’s economy and our communities,” said Representative Robinson (R-Utica). “This caucus is about bringing people together to support commonsense policies, expand opportunities for workers, and make sure the next generation has a clear path to good-paying, in-demand careers.”
Spotlight On Senator Paul Wojno: Senator Wojno (D-Warren) is serving his second term in the Michigan Senate. Prior to his election to the Senate, he served as Warren City Clerk from 2007 to 2018. Additionally, he served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1997 to 2002. Senator Wojno earned his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State University.
District: He represents the 10th Senate District, which includes portions of Sterling Heights, Warren, Detroit, and all of the City of Center Line.
Committees: Senator Wojno serves as chair of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and majority vice chair on the Election and Ethics and Local Government Committees. He is a member of the following committees: Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety, Health Policy, Regulatory Affairs, and Transportation and Infrastructure.
We asked Senator Wojno a few questions to learn more about him:
What’s your favorite travel destination outside of Michigan?
A – Macro Island, Florida
What’s your favorite hobby other than politics?
A – I love to cook.
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A – An actor.
What’s your favorite game to play or sport to watch and/or play?
A – To play – football, to watch – college football.
Next Week: The Senate scheduled session for Wednesday and Thursday. The House is not scheduled to hold session. On Tuesday, May 5, a special general election will be held in the 35th Michigan Senate District.
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