Honigman Capitol Report

Governor's Office

Whitmer Backlash Continues after Vetoing Bills

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is facing criticism after vetoing nine bills that had been passed by the Democratic-controlled Legislature in 2023-24 but were delayed for roughly 18 months before reaching her desk. Her office says it supported Senate Democrats’ lawsuit against the House seeking to require transmission of the bills to the governor, although the administration did not publicly join the case or file briefs, and when the Court of Appeals ordered the House to present the bills in October 2025, Whitmer’s office said only that it was reviewing the ruling. According to the governor’s communications director, Senate Democrats were the party with standing to sue and their success in the litigation now requires the Legislature to transmit bills in the future. Critics, including Democratic lawmakers and labor advocates, say they were blindsided by the vetoes and argue the result undercuts the purpose of the lawsuit, while Whitmer’s veto letter cited significant administrative and cost concerns caused by the 18-month delay, expired statutory deadlines, and retroactive implementation issues. Some Democrats have suggested the court could have addressed timing problems through a revised implementation schedule, similar to the remedy used in the adopt-and-amend litigation, while supporters of some vetoes, including higher education groups, said the measures would have created major unfunded obligations.

Committee News

Housing Bills Signed into Law

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has now signed a six-bill housing package aimed at expanding Michigan’s housing supply and affordability, including a ban on large corporations and investment funds purchasing single-family homes, updated building-code provisions intended to lower construction costs, and new state housing tax credits designed to support affordable housing development. State officials and housing advocates said the measures could help generate more than 2,500 affordable homes annually, with MSHDA expected to seek board approval for the new programs in October and potentially begin distributing the first round of funding as early as November. Whitmer also indicated she remains interested in pursuing additional housing legislation during the final six months of the legislative session, although she acknowledged the Legislature may have limited remaining session time; accordingly, further housing-related proposals could remain on the agenda as policymakers continue focusing on affordability, zoning flexibility, and barriers to new housing development.

Election News

Democratic US Senate Primary Could Break Records

Michigan’s Democratic U.S. Senate primary is approaching record-breaking spending levels, with $68.46 million in paid media already making it the second-most expensive Democratic U.S. Senate primary in history and placing it within roughly $6 million of surpassing the 2024 California Senate primary before the Aug. 4 election. Unlike California’s blanket primary, Michigan’s contest is a traditional Democratic primary featuring U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed, with state Sen. Mallory McMorrow having recently exited the race after struggling to compete with the scale of spending. The spending disparity is substantial: more than $52 million in outside support has benefited Stevens, including at least $27 million connected to AIPAC through the United Democracy Project, while Stevens’ own campaign has spent only about $1.18 million on TV ads; by comparison, El-Sayed and allied support have spent about $4.5 million, and McMorrow and her supporting PAC spent about $9 million before her withdrawal. Although pro-Stevens ads focus on themes such as opposing President Trump, standing up to ICE and touting congressional effectiveness, the underlying driver appears to be Israel policy, as El-Sayed has campaigned to end U.S. support for Israel while Stevens remains a vocal supporter of Israel—a position that polling suggests is increasingly complicated within the Democratic electorate.

On Point

Client Alert: Minimum Wage Increases Take Effect July 1 Around the Country

Looking Ahead

Similarly to the 2024 election, "affordability" continues to be the key motivator for voters' decisions. Following the approaching August primary, it is widely expected that both parties will begin to release and explain their plans for driving down costs for consumers. Across various sectors, costs appear to be higher — from construction and groceries to paying at the pump and home energy prices — and voters are on edge. The fall election will likely be decided on who is viewed as best able to handle the cost of living. A range of broad proposals have been offered with little detail, from national down to local candidates for office, offering tax rebates or direct payments as a way for individuals and families to make ends meet.