Honigman Capitol Report

Governor's Office

Governor Discusses Future Plans

At a recent Pancakes & Politics forum in Detroit, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she has not decided whether she will pursue a 2028 presidential run but plans to stay engaged in public life. She reiterated her push to make Michigan a national model for responsible data center development while protecting energy consumers, natural resources, and labor. Whitmer also highlighted housing as a top priority, pointing to the bipartisan Michigan Housing Readiness Package, a nine‑bill legislative effort aimed at accelerating construction, expanding workforce and affordable housing, and addressing statewide supply shortages. In addition, she addressed concerns about potential increases in federal immigration enforcement activity, stressed the importance of protecting civil liberties and voter participation, discussed health care access challenges in rural areas following federal cuts, and reaffirmed her commitment to governing amid ongoing partisan tensions.

Committee News

Senate Moves Forward on First Round of Budget Bills

The Senate Appropriations Committee advanced the first round of Fiscal Year 2027 budget bills last week, sending eight departmental appropriations packages and the Natural Resources Trust Fund to the full Senate. The budgets, adopted without amendment, cover agriculture, environment and energy, transportation, licensing and insurance, natural resources, and higher education. While Republicans largely opposed moving the bills, each cleared the committee and was reported to the Senate floor. Highlights include unanimous passage of SB 829, allocating $45 million from the Natural Resources Trust Fund for land acquisition and development projects statewide, and significant transportation funding increases for local roads and MDOT. The budgets emphasize consumer protections, energy efficiency, flood resilience, food affordability, and expanded access to higher education programs, though debate emerged over changes to charter school oversight funding. Senate Democrats said the action keeps the chamber on track to deliver an on‑time FY 2027 budget.

Election News

Emerson Polling Data Released for Upcoming Election

A recent Emerson College poll (April 11–13) highlights significant uncertainty and competition across Michigan’s major 2026 primary races. In the Democratic U.S. Senate primary, Abdul El‑Sayed (24%) and Sen. Mallory McMorrow (23.6%) are effectively tied, while Rep. Haley Stevens trails at 13.4% amid a large undecided electorate (36%); the results show sharp generational divides and have prompted criticism over a sample skewed younger and more college‑educated. On the Republican side, former Rep. Mike Rogers leads the Senate primary with 55%, while the GOP gubernatorial race remains close, with Perry Johnson narrowly ahead of Rep. John James. Among Democrats, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson holds a dominant position in the gubernatorial primary at 51%. Issue polling shows voters prioritizing the economy, opposing U.S. military action against Iran, and expressing broad—largely bipartisan—opposition to data center development near their communities, underscoring potential policy sensitivities moving into the primary season.

On Point

Press Release: Washington Enacts Sweeping Ban on Non-Compete Agreements

Looking Ahead

The House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees met this week to begin budget bills. The Speaker of the House has committed to cutting at least $100 million from the state budget. The cuts are largely reflected by eliminating vacant full-time employee (FTE) positions across various state departments. Under the House’s self-description of “waste, fraud, and abuse” the cuts reflect a bloated government workforce, there are also attempts to mandate state employees return to the office full-time ending hybrid work environments implemented during COVID.

The Senate has mainly focused on the negative implications of H.R.1 which passed in July of 2025. The proposed cuts that will trickle down from that legislation would leave the state to absorb responsibility for Medicaid recipients who could be forced off the program. There is widespread speculation that impacts will be centered around to work requirements forcing many Michigan citizens off the program. The Senate has concerns that such draconian cuts to the program are going to hurt Michigan residents particularly in rural areas. Steps to mitigate these cuts through the state budget are being worked on, more specifics will likely be seen next week when it is rumored the Senate Human and Health Services Subcommittee could meet to consider its version of the budget.