Honigman Capitol Report

Governor's Office

Whitmer Reduces Media Appearances 

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has substantially reduced her availability to Michigan journalists since the second quarter of 2024, even as she remains highly active on social media; an exception followed the March 2025 emergency caused by a historic northern Michigan ice storm. Political experts note that social media enables elected officials to bypass traditional media filters and exert tighter control over their message by speaking directly to supporters. This shift underscores a broader transformation in political communication in which image management, long central to politics, is increasingly shaped by digital channels and rapid online feedback cycles. Analysts offer differing interpretations of Whitmer’s reduced press engagement. Some suggest that laying low in 2025 did not dispel speculation about a potential 2028 presidential bid, a narrative buoyed by her appearance on a popular YouTube program and references to her undefeated record in Michigan elections, as well as her appointment as vice-chair of the Democratic Governors Association. Others contend her pattern resembles that of a lame-duck official exiting the stage, noting that only Whitmer can definitively clarify her intentions and that active 2028 prospects like Governors J.B. Pritzker and Gavin Newsom are aggressively seeking media visibility.

Committee News

House Republicans Endorse Work Project Cuts

House Democrats launched a vigorous campaign against House Republicans for endorsing $644.9 million in work project cuts, which were approved last Wednesday. The Democrats held two press conferences and initiated a digital media campaign targeting three House members from competitive districts, namely Reps. Steve Frisbie, Rylee Linting, and Kathy Schmaltz. Despite Linting's public declaration of opposition to the cuts, the ads criticized her for being "too weak" to prevent them. The cuts affect carryover spending from Fiscal Year 2025, with the funds reverting to the General Fund. House Speaker Matt Hall expressed willingness to negotiate with the Governor and Senate Democrats to restore some funding if deemed necessary. Democrats and community leaders highlighted the immediate adverse effects of the cuts while the Detroit Caucus condemned the Republicans' move to retract nearly $645 million in previously approved state spending, warning it could disrupt community projects and essential services. Rep. Stephanie Young accused House Republicans of using a rarely invoked provision to rescind funds without Senate involvement and without allowing Democrats to question the process. Rep. Donavan McKinney described a chaotic committee meeting where members had minimal time to review the proposal before voting.

Election News

Rogers Collects Signatures for U.S. Senate Bid

Mike Rogers, a Republican candidate, announced that he has collected 30,000 signatures for his second bid for the U.S. Senate, which is the maximum number allowed to be filed with the Secretary of State to appear on the primary ballot. Although Rogers has not yet filed these signatures, he needs 15,000 valid ones, including at least 100 from each of seven congressional districts, to qualify. His campaign claims to have collected at least 100 signatures from all 13 congressional districts. The campaign's press release highlights Rogers' dominance in the field, citing his lead in recent polls, a strong ground game operation, endorsement from President Trump, and the largest campaign war chest among candidates. Rogers reported having $2.44 million in cash on hand at the end of the third quarter, surpassing his primary opponents. Meanwhile, the Michigan Democratic Party has been trying to generate media pressure on Rogers, focusing on his support for the One Big Beautiful Bill, which did not extend Affordable Care Act premium tax credits. The party criticizes Rogers for supporting policies that they claim will increase healthcare costs for middle-class families, labeling him as "Price Hike Mike" and accusing him of political cowardice. 

On Point

Press Release: Navigating New BIS Regulations: Compliance for Connected Vehicles

Looking Ahead

The rumor mill is in full force in Lansing with talk of a pending supplemental budget coming in following the return of House and Senate members in January. If a deal is worked out over the holiday break, the second session of the 103^rd Legislature would come back and vote out a supplemental or close of books budget prior to the Governor’s FY2027 budget recommendation. The goal would be to restore some of the cuts made by the House Republican majority last week but also redirect some of the funds to other projects that all three parties could agree on. The holiday break will be a critical time for any negotiations for a deal.