MLC Insider Intelligence: November 21, 2025
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The legislature continued its annual two-week break. Neither committees nor session were held this week.
10 Years, 10 Lessons: Reflections from a Lobbyist: After a decade working in government affairs, MLC Partner Matt Sowash has learned that lobbying is as much about relationships and reputation as it is about policy and persuasion. The work is complex, fast-paced, and often misunderstood. It’s also deeply rewarding when you see good policy move forward because you helped bridge the gap between decision-makers and the people they serve.
Lessons Learned: The foundation of effective advocacy is trust. Building relationships with legislators, staff, and stakeholders isn’t something that happens overnight. It’s about consistency — showing up, being honest, and following through. The best lobbyists aren’t the ones who talk the most; they’re the ones whose word carries weight. Every meeting, every email, every follow-up builds (or erodes) your professional credibility. If you cut corners or misrepresent facts, word spreads fast. Additionally, the most effective lobbyists help people solve problems. Sometimes that means connecting two groups who didn’t realize they shared the same goal. Being a bridge-builder adds value far beyond any single bill or client. Policy issues evolve, political players change, and industries innovate. Staying effective means staying curious, reading constantly, asking questions, and learning from every interaction.
Final Thoughts: Ten years in, Matt’s learned that lobbying isn’t about winning every issue; it’s about building trust, earning respect, and helping good ideas find their way into law. The work is demanding, but the impact is real. Here’s to the next decade and to all the lessons still to come!
Budget Transparency Changes Signed into Law: Starting next year, legislators will follow a new process for submitting Legislatively Directed Spending Items (LDSI) for inclusion in the state budget. LDSIs are commonly known as earmarks and are spending items within the state budget that direct state money to specific local projects or organizations.
Key Points: Under the law, the legislature must post all LSDI requests online at least 45 days prior to a final vote. The information posted must contain specific details, including the sponsoring legislator’s name, the intended grant recipient, the amount requested, the public purpose, and more. Additional information is required if the recipient is a nonprofit. For-profit businesses are banned from receiving funds, and non-profits must have an established presence in Michigan to be eligible.
Negotiations: These reforms were a part of the overall budget negotiations this year. The final versions of the package were negotiated between the House and Senate. Specifically, the House wanted LSDIs to be posted 90 days prior, while the Senate’s plan included a 10-day provision.
Legislator Security Expansion Signed into Law: Legislation seeking to reduce the threat of political violence towards Michigan lawmakers was signed into law this week by Governor Whitmer.
Key Points: The law expands the jurisdiction of the Sergeant at Arms beyond the Capitol and legislative buildings by allowing them to provide security at locations where legislators are present for official events. It also allows them to provide security for a legislator’s family member or legislative staff of the member, if there is a need for security. Furthermore, it expands their jurisdiction to allow the Sergeant at Arms to investigate threats or crimes against a legislator.
Importance: Threats of violence have been on the rise lately, both in Michigan and nationwide. Most recently in Michigan, both Senator Jemery Moss (D-Southfield) and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist received bomb threats at their homes.
October Revenue Grows Year-Over-Year: Michigan’s major taxes and net lottery revenue totaled $4.3 billion last month, an increase of 5.9% from October 2024. Collections were $40.1 million above May’s Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference projections, according to the latest report by the Senate Fiscal Agency.
Key Points: General Fund tax collections came in $22.7 million below projections, and year-to-date collections were $289.7 million below the estimated amount. School Aid Fund collections totaled $52.8 million above the forecasted amount, and year-to-date collections were also above prior estimates by $129.4 million. The remaining $10 million in above-forecast collections in October came from other sources, notably restricted funds associated with gaming.
Taxes: Sales tax receipts reached $916.5 million, up 2.5% from the previous year. Revenue from sales taxes on motor vehicles also climbed, coming in at $129.5 million for the month. Use tax collections rose as well, increasing 10.6% to $263.6 million. October’s net income tax revenue was another strong performer, growing 14.9% year-over-year to $1.1 billion.
Spotlight On Senator Jonathan Lindsey: Senator Lindsey (R-Coldwater) is serving his first term in the Michigan Senate. After graduating from university, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in many roles and earning a Green Beret. During his time in the special forces, he served in three combat deployments. After leaving the army, Senator Lindsey worked as a communications executive in the private sector. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Yale University.
District: He represents the 17th Senate District, which includes Cass, St. Joseph, and Branch counties and parts of Berrien, Calhoun, Jackson, and Hillsdale counties.
Committees: Senator Lindsey serves as the minority vice chair of the Housing and Human Services Committee. He’s a member of the following committees: Economic and Community Development, Oversight, and Veterans and Emergency Services.
We asked Senator Lindsey a few questions to learn more about him:
What’s your favorite travel destination outside of Michigan?
A – Rome
What’s your favorite hobby other than politics?
A – Video games
What did you want to be when you were a kid?
A – An astronaut
What’s your favorite game to play or sport to watch and/or play?
A – Playing DotA 2
Next Week: The legislature will continue its annual two-week break through next week. The Senate is scheduled to hold session December 2 – 4, while the House is scheduled to meet on December 2. In observance of Thanksgiving, MLC will be closed November 27 and 28.