MLC Insider Intelligence: October 2, 2026
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The Senate held session on Thursday, while the House did not meet this week.
The Best Training Ground I Never Chose: Growing Up in a Family of Nine: The role that best prepared MLC Partner Matt Sowash for lobbying wasn't a job at all. It was growing up as one of seven kids, sandwiched between four brothers and two sisters. The house ran on negotiation, alliance-building, and a healthy dose of chaos.
Negotiation Training: In a family that size, nothing gets decided by fate. You learn early that getting the last piece of pizza, the front seat, a later curfew, almost anything that you want, requires reading the room before you speak up. That's not so different from walking into a legislative office and figuring out, in real time, who the persuadable votes are, who the immovable ones are, and who needs to hear your pitch from someone else first.
Takeaways: What he didn't appreciate until later is that a chaotic household also teaches you how to lose gracefully and keep playing the long game. Not every argument at home went his way, and not every meeting at the Capitol goes how he would hope. What matters is staying in the relationship for the next round because, with seven siblings and in the lobbying world, there's always a next round.
Proposal Regulating Flock Cameras Introduced: A coalition of House Republican members introduced legislation establishing clear restrictions and criminal penalties for the improper use of data collected by Flock cameras and similar automated license plate reader technology. The legislation is in response to residents’ concerns about what information the cameras collect, who can access it, and how it can be used.
Key Points: The proposal would define improper use as searching for individuals who are not connected to an active alert or legitimate law enforcement purpose, sharing information with unauthorized individuals, and accessing or using the data for commercial or personal purposes, such as background checks, private business ventures, or other activities unrelated to an active alert. It would also prohibit data retention beyond 30 days, with certain carved-out exemptions, and establish criminal penalties for violations.
Next Steps: The bill package was referred to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.
House Passes Reforms to Consumer Board: Last week, the House passed legislation addressing former legislators working for companies receiving state-administered grant funding.
Key Points: The legislation prohibits former legislators from accepting employment with an organization that receives grant funding from the Utility Consumer Protection Board for at least two years after leaving their legislative office. A former legislator who violates the two-year prohibition would be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both. The bill will be sent to the Senate for consideration.
The Utility Consumer Protection Board: The board awards grants to nonprofit organizations and local governments that represent residential utility customers in proceedings before the Michigan Public Service Commission. The grants can be used to cover expenses for the organization, such as staff, attorneys, and expert witnesses.
Michigan College Month Proclaimed: Governor Gretchen Whitmer proclaimed October as Michigan College Month in Michigan, which is a statewide effort to raise awareness for high school seniors to complete college applications. Additionally, the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) is encouraging students and families to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Key Points: Financial aid grants and scholarships include the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which provides funding for tuition and fees at eligible colleges, universities, or career training programs, and the Michigan Reconnect program, which targets those 21 or older to earn a tuition-free associate degree or skill certificate at a local community college. The Community College Guarantee also ensures every Michigan high school senior and recent grad can attend their local community college tuition-free for at least two years.
MiLEAP: Governor Whitmer established the department in 2023 to ensure every Michigan resident has a path to prosperity from birth to earning a postsecondary credential that leads to high-wage careers.
Spotlight On Representative Jasper Martus: Representative Martus (D-Flushing) is serving his second term in the Michigan House of Representatives. He began his professional life working for former Congressman Dan Kildee. During his time at university, he worked for a number of state representatives, and following graduation, he worked as a communications advisor for the Michigan House Democrats. Representative Martus graduated from Michigan State University’s James Madison College with a degree in international relations and a minor in world religions.
District: The district includes Flushing, Flushing Township, Clayton Township, Clio, Flint Township, Mount Morris, Mount Morris Township, Swartz Creek, Montrose and parts of Montrose Township and Vienna Township.
Committees:
Appropriations
Labor and Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, minority vice chair
Michigan State Police Subcommittee
Next Week: The Senate has session scheduled for Thursday, while the House doesn’t have session scheduled for the week. Debates will take place during the week for both gubernatorial candidates and candidates for the U.S. Senate. The Michigan Supreme Court begins its 2026-27 session by hearing oral arguments on October 7 and 8.
Leading up to the November 5 general election, we are highlighting races generally considered swing seats.
General Election Overview: 92nd House District: Republican Representative Jerry Neyer is serving his second term and running for reelection this November. While the district is competitive on paper, it has been a consistent Republican seat, and Representative Neyer has represented it well. With a political newcomer as the Democratic candidate, Representative Neyer appears well positioned to retain this seat in November.
District Overview: The district includes portions of Gratiot and Isabella counties.
Democratic Candidate:
Luke Del Castillo – Former director of Place-Based Businesses at the Middle Michigan Development Corporation and president of Royal Starr Arts Institute.
Republican Candidate:
Representative Jerry Neyer – State Representative and operates his family’s dairy farm.
General Election Overview: 96th House District: Republican Representative Timothy Beson is running for a fourth term in the Michigan House of Representatives. Since he upset a Democratic incumbent to win his first election to the House, Democrats have been eyeing this seat to win it back. The Democratic Party has a strong candidate, and House Republicans and Representative Beson will need to give this challenge their full attention if they want to hold this seat on Election Day.
District Overview: The district includes Bay City, Essexville, and Bangor, Beaver, Frankenlust, Fraser, Garfield, Hampton, Kawkawlin, Merritt, Monitor, and Portsmouth Townships.
Democratic Candidate:
Christopher Girard – Bay City Mayor, former Bay City Commissioner, and worked at his family business, including 14 years as CEO.
Republican Candidate:
Representative Timothy Beson – State Representative, business owner.
General Election Overview: 109th House District: This may be the legislative district that determines the House majority for the 2027-2028 legislative term. Republican Representative Karl Bohnak is serving his first term in the House after beating a Democratic incumbent in 2024. This district has a slight Democratic advantage but has been trending right. This culminated in Representative Bohnak flipping this seat last cycle. Both caucuses are fully engaged in this race, and the winner will be integral to which party holds the majority.
District Overview: The district includes Alger, Baraga, and Marquette Counties, portions of Dickinson County, and Ishpeming, Marquette, Munising, Negaunee, and Norway.
Democratic Candidate:
Anna Aho Rink – Physician assistant.
Republican Candidate:
Representative Karl Bohnak – State Representative, former meteorologist, author, and historian.