MLC Insider Intelligence: September 4, 2026
Michigan Legislative Consultants
Weekly Recap: The House and Senate are on their reduced summer schedule and didn’t hold session or committees this week.
How a Non-Linear Government Career Was Perfect for This Lobbyist: If you look at the resumes of many lobbyists, you often see a straight line: a degree in political science, a stint as a legislative staffer, and a direct jump into government relations. MLC Partner Tony Des Chenes’ path within state government looked less like a straight line and more like a masterclass in adaptability. While he had the opportunity to work in two departments, the job that most prepared him was serving as the legislative liaison for the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget.
Key Points: That role taught Tony how to listen for what people need, not just what they say they want. In lobbying, advocacy isn’t about yelling the loudest; it’s about finding the overlap between a client’s goals and a policymaker’s agenda. Additionally, he learned how to track moving parts across entirely different ecosystems. This is critical because as a lobbyist, your issue portfolio is constantly changing. Lastly, the role provided a master class in accelerated learning by asking the right questions and filtering out the fluff.
The Takeaway: An effective lobbyist isn't just someone who knows people; it’s someone who knows how the machine works from the inside out. Tony’s career in state government made him a specialist in navigation, translation, and execution, all the tools needed to be successful as a lobbyist.
Legislative Candidate Selected: Former Representative Pamela Hornberger was chosen to run in Michigan’s 63rdHouse District as the Republican candidate. After a vote by the local county parties, she will run in place of Representative Jay DeBoyer, who was running for reelection to the seat before being named the Republican candidate for Lt. Governor.
Biography: She served three terms in the House and served on the leadership team for one term. Prior to her previous election to the House, she taught for 23 years in the East China School District in St. Clair County. She earned a master’s degree in education administration from Saginaw Valley State University, her teaching certification from Wayne State University, and a Bachelor of Science from Michigan State University.
District: The 63rd House District includes portions of St. Clair County and Macomb County.
Audit Completed on Voter Rolls: The Office of the Auditor General (OAG) released a report, which they state shows Michigan’s voter rolls are more accurate than ever before. The Qualified Voter File (QVF) is a statewide database of more than 8.3 million registered voters maintained in real time by more than 1,600 state and local election officials. The examination of the QVF was required under a provision included in the FY 2026 state budget.
Report Findings: The agency examined selected processes used by the Michigan Department of State to update and maintain the state’s QVF. It found that 99.99% of QVF entries are fully complete with all required data, and the match between QVF data and data in the state’s driver and vehicle record system has dramatically increased since 2021, with 99.7% of the records identical. Furthermore, the number of registrations cancelled due to deaths closely tracks the total deaths in Michigan in that given year.
Higher Education Research Priorities Announced: The state is identifying research that can help strengthen postsecondary education and advance the state’s goal of having 60% of working-age adults earn a postsecondary credential or skills certificate by 2030. The Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential’s Office of Higher Education published 10 research priorities focused on the factors that shape access, success, and economic mobility.
Research Priorities: The priorities span issues ranging from how financial aid reaches students and what keeps eligible Michiganders from enrolling to how academic pathways, basic needs, transfer and workforce alignment affect whether students earn a credential and benefit from their education. They are intended to help university researchers, doctoral students, national partners and others studying higher education focus their work on research that can strengthen understanding of the postsecondary system and inform policy and practice.
Sixty by 30 Progress: Since 2023, more than $740 million in Michigan Achievement Scholarships has supported over 110,000 students. Additionally, Michigan Reconnect has helped 94,000 adult learners return to education and pursue new career pathways.
Data Center Reforms Announced: A plan to repeal the 2024 sales and use tax reforms that were specifically carved out to promote and support data center developments was announced this week. Introduced by Senator Jim Runestad (R-White Lake), the proposal would completely repeal the 2024 reforms and, in Senator Runestad’s opinion, open the door for changes surrounding how and when data center proposals use or pursue tax breaks.
Background: In December 2024, the legislature voted to approve bicameral legislation, and Governor Whitmer signed it into law, addressing certain aspects of data centers. Specifically, the legislation prevented the Michigan Economic Development Corporation from releasing information about data centers applying for or using sales and use tax exemptions.
Michigan Secures Infrastructure Improvement Funding: The State of Michigan is set to receive $145 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation to strengthen passenger rail infrastructure. The funding will support more reliable connections between Michigan communities and major Midwest destinations.
Projects: The funding will advance three projects along the Michigan Line aiming to make it easier for Michigan residents and visitors to access jobs, education, tourism, and other opportunities. The funding will reconstruct structurally deficient bridges, replace the 124-year-old Blackman Road Bridge in Jackson, and improve rail tracks and turnouts between Dearborn and Kalamazoo.
Objective: The overarching goal is to build a stronger, more reliable passenger rail system. Improving and building the state’s infrastructure, and specifically the rail system, has been discussed at all levels of government for well over a decade. Funding these projects is the latest step on the path to modernizing infrastructure statewide.
Spotlight On Representative Greg VanWoerkom: Representative VanWoerkom (R-Norton Shores) is serving his fourth term in the Michigan House of Representatives. Prior to elected office, he served as district director for Congressman Bill Huizenga and senior policy advisor for Congressman Pete Hoekstra. Representative VanWoerkom earned a bachelor’s degree from Calvin College and a master’s degree in political leadership from George Washington University.
District: The 88th House District includes portions of Muskegon and Ottawa Counties.
Committees:
Appropriations
Medicaid and Behavioral Health Subcommittee, chair
General Government, majority vice chair
Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Insurance and Financial Services
Labor and Economic Opportunity
Next Week: MLC will be closed on Monday, September 7, for Labor Day. The Senate has scheduled session for Wednesday and Thursday.
Leading up to the November 5 general election, we are highlighting races generally considered swing seats.
General Election Overview: 48th House District: Representative Jennifer Conlin is running for a third term in the House. The district is a near 50-50 split, with the Democratic Party having the slightest advantage at 50.5%. November will be a rematch of 2024, as Representative Collin will face Mr. Ignatowski, who ran unsuccessfully for this seat in 2024.
District Overview: The district includes portions of Ann Arbor, the townships of Ann Arbor, Dexter, Genoa, Hamburg, Northfield, Waterloo, Webster, Lydon, and Putnam, and the village of Pickney.
Democratic Candidate:
Representative Jennifer Conlin – State Representative, former journalist.
Republican Candidate:
Brian Ignatowski – Small business owner.
General Election Overview: 49th House District: Republican Representative Ann Bollin has served in the House for eight years and is running for a fifth term. She currently serves as Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, one of the most powerful roles in the chamber. The district has a 56.3% Republican base, which positions her well for re-election. However, with this district and national trends moving to the left, this will be a district to watch.
District Overview: The district includes portions of Livingston and western Oakland counties, including Brighton, Walled Lake, Wixom, and a portion of Novi. Additionally, the district includes Brighton Township, Green Oak Township, and portions of Commerce and Lyon Townships.
Democratic Candidate:
Dan Pelchat – Public school technology professional, former Mayor of South Lyon.
Republican Candidate:
Representative Ann Bollin – State Representative and former Brighton Township Clerk.
Libertarian Party:
Trevor Step
General Election Overview: 54th House District: Republican Representative Donni Steele opted against running for reelection in the House in order to run for a seat in the Michigan Senate. Without an incumbent, this seat is firmly in play for both Republicans and Democrats. The district base leans slightly to the right, but both parties are working hard to win this seat. It will be a pivotal seat on the path to majority for both political parties.
District Overview: The district includes Bloomfield Hills, Orion Township, and portions of Auburn Hills, Bloomfield Township, and Oakland Township.
Democratic Candidate:
Sarah Pounds – Served on Oakland County housing and community development boards.
Republican Candidate:
Roman Gaskey – Works at a technology company, previously worked as a data analyst for a health insurance corporation, and helped startup founders raise investment
General Election Overview: 55th House District: Republican Representative Mark Tisdel is running for a fourth term in office, and his candidacy fits this district like a glove. This is another seat that slightly favors the Republican Party, with a 53.4% base, but Democrats have unsuccessfully targeted it as a flip opportunity over the past few election cycles. Time will tell if this is the cycle they can break through and knock off a key incumbent for the House Republicans, but they’ll need to beat one of the strongest Republican incumbents.
District Overview: The district includes Rochester and Rochester Hills and portions of Oakland Township.
Democratic Candidate:
Alex Hawkins – Army Veteran, National Guard Explosive Ordnance Disposal Officer, worked for then-Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, and U.S. Senator Gary Peters.
Republican Candidate:
Representative Mark Tisdel – State Representative, former Rochester Hills Councilman, and small business owner.