MLC Insider Intelligence: September 11, 2026
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The Senate held session on Wednesday and Thursday. The House did not meet this week.
Senate Approves Reintroduced Legislation: Nine bills that were reintroduced following a lengthy legal battle and veto by the governor were passed by the Senate this week. According to the sponsors, the legislation seeks to target affordability for workers and families, lower healthcare costs for local public employees, and protect assistance and benefit programs from debt collectors.
Key Points: The legislation expands health insurance for public employees and allows Michigan Department of Corrections officers and other law enforcement personnel to opt into the Michigan State Police pension plan. Additionally, it exempts public assistance from garnishment and updates other exemption values, and allows for millage questions on ballots to support operations of history museums.
Background: The issue began when Speaker of the House Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo) assumed his leadership role in January 2025. Nine bills had passed both the House and Senate at the end of 2024 but weren’t presented to the governor at the conclusion of that term. Speaker Hall declined to present them to Governor Whitmer, starting a legal challenge from the Michigan Senate, which was recently ended by the Supreme Court and the Governor’s veto of the bills after presentment.
Constitutional Convention Question Before Voters: This November, Michigan voters will decide if the state will hold a constitutional convention for the purposes of amending the Michigan Constitution. Under the state’s current constitution, ratified in 1963, every 16th year after 1978, the question is to be automatically placed on the general election ballot.
Next Steps: If Michigan votes to hold a convention, within six months an election would be held to select delegates, one from each Michigan Senate district and Michigan House of Representatives district. Next, the elected delegates would meet to decide on changes to Michigan’s constitution. They could either choose to make revisions, rewrite the constitution, or leave it as it currently stands. If changes or a rewrite are agreed upon by the convention, it would be placed before Michigan voters.
Voter Sentiment: The last time this question was before voters in 2010, 66% of people voted against holding a convention. The proposal also failed the prior two times this question was placed before voters.
E-Bike Ban Proposed: Legislation aimed at protecting young children from accidents caused by electric bikes was introduced in the Senate this week.
Key Points: Introduced by Senator Jim Runestad (R-White Lake), the proposal bans children under 14 from riding an e-bike on a public sidewalk, road, or trail. Children above the age of 14 and under the age of 18 would need written permission from a parent or guardian and must wear a safety helmet while riding. The bill also contains financial penalties for those who violate the safety guidelines.
Importance: “Due to the fast speeds e-bikes are capable of reaching, riders must possess the required mental and physical capabilities to ride safely — skills that are often underdeveloped in young children,” Senator Runestad said. “This is just a simple safety check regarding the public use of these bikes.”
Governor Announces Appointment: Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the appointment of Charity Dean to the Michigan’s Women’s Commission. Ms. Dean is president and chief executive officer of the Michigan Black Business Alliance (an MLC client) and the owner of Detroit Rosa. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Oakland University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. Ms. Dean’s term commences on October 14 and expires at the pleasure of the governor. She will be designated as chair of the commission.
The Michigan Women’s Commission: It was created by statute in 1968. Its duties include reviewing the status of women in Michigan, directing attention to critical problems confronting women, and recognizing women’s accomplishments and contributions to the state.
Spotlight on Representative Peter Herzberg: Representative Herzberg (D-Westland) is serving his first full term in the Michigan House after serving a partial term during the prior term. He began his career in public service as a Westland City Councilman, serving for nine years.
Representative Herzberg received a bachelor’s degree in finance from Wayne State University.
District: The 102nd House District includes Wayne, portions of Canton, Dearborn Heights, and Westland.
Committees:
Transportation and Infrastructure, minority vice chair
Energy
Rules
Next Week: The House and Senate have scheduled a typical Tuesday – Thursday session week.
Leading up to the November 5 general election, we are highlighting races generally considered swing seats.
General Election Overview: 56th House District: Democratic Representative Sharon MacDonnell is running for a third term in the Michigan House. While this district has a lean Democratic base, Representative MacDonnell easily won this seat in her first two terms by an average of nearly 15 points. She is well positioned to win again this year and return for a third term.
District Overview: The district includes portions of Birmingham, Bloomfield Township, Clawson, Royal Oak, and Troy.
Democratic Candidate:
Representative Sharon MacDonnell – State representative, small business owner, worked as a journalist, marketing professional, and video producer
Republican Candidate:
Ashok Baddi – Small business owner.
General Election Overview: 57th House District: Republican Representative Tom Kuhn is serving his second term in office and running for a third term this November. The 51.5 % Republican base gives him a slight edge in this seat. Additionally, he has a strong incumbent advantage and previously served on the Oakland County Commission. Representative Kuhn will face off against a political newcomer, but with the competitive nature of this seat, Republicans will need a strong campaign effort to win on election day.
District Overview: The district is located in Macomb and Oakland counties, including portions of Sterling Heights, Troy, and Madison Heights.
Democratic Candidate:
Tom Turner – Army Veteran, attorney in private practice, and served as a judge advocate in the military.
Republican Candidate:
Representative Tom Kuhn – State representative, attorney, former Royal Oak City Commissioner, and Oakland County Commissioner.
General Election Overview: 58th House District: Republican Representative Ron Robinson is serving his first term in the House and is seeking a second term in November. This district has a nearly 50-50 partisan split, with the Republican Party having the slightest advantage at 50.3%.
Representative Robinson has strong name recognition from serving in the House and on the local city council. His opponent is a political newcomer and will need to rely on campaigning and meeting the voters to get her name recognized. Representative Robinson has been a tireless worker in his district, but this race will be highly competitive based on the even partisan split among voters.
District Overview: The district includes Utica and portions of Sterling Heights, Warren, and Shelby Charter Township.
Democratic Candidate:
Katrina Manetta – Community organizer, server.
Republican Candidate:
Representative Ron Robinson – State representative, Marine Corps Veteran, former Utica City Councilman, small business owner
General Election Overview: 61st House District: Democratic Representative Denise Mentzer is running for a third term in office. While the Democratic Party has a slight advantage with a 52% base, in the last election the Republican candidate lost by less than 1,000 votes. That candidate, Robert Wojtowicz, is running again this year, setting up a rematch between him and incumbent Representative Mentzer.
District Overview: The district includes Mount Clemens and portions of Sterling Heights and Clinton Township.
Democratic Candidate:
Representative Denise Mentzer – State representative and former Mount Clemens City Commissioner.
Republican Candidate:
Robert Wojtowicz