Honigman Capitol Report

Governor's Office

Governor Seeks South Korea Investment

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer launched an investment mission to South Korea this week aimed at strengthening economic ties and attracting new investment to Michigan in shipbuilding, semiconductors, robotics, drones, advanced manufacturing and future mobility. The delegation, supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan Economic Development Foundation, will meet with business and government leaders as Michigan seeks to build on prior engagement in the region, highlight its manufacturing infrastructure and engineering talent, and capture opportunities tied to South Korea’s planned $350 billion investment in the United States.

Committee News

Vetoed Bills Revived

Last week, the Senate passed updated versions of nine bills previously vetoed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer following a prolonged dispute over whether House Speaker Matt Hall was required to present last term’s measures to the Governor. The revived package addresses several policy areas, including expanded pension plan eligibility for additional state public safety employees, a requirement that public employers cover at least 80% of employee health benefit costs, revisions to wage garnishment rules and bankruptcy protections for residents facing significant debt, and authorization for Detroit-area museums to seek voter approval for a millage. Supporters framed the bills as practical responses to workforce retention challenges, corrections staffing shortages, rising employee benefit costs, and financial hardship for residents, while opponents criticized the effort as politically motivated, questioned whether the bills reflect current legislative priorities, and suggested the package is unlikely to move forward in the House.

Election News

Mail Ballot Rule Blocked

The U.S. Supreme Court refused to let the Trump administration implement new U.S. Postal Service mail ballot restrictions for the November 2026 election, leaving a preliminary injunction in place while the legal challenge continues. The rule, issued Aug. 26 and made effective immediately, would have required states to enroll eligible mail-ballot voters with USPS, obtain approval for outgoing and return ballot-envelope designs, and use state-specific lists and unique barcodes; USPS could have refused to deliver ballots tied to voters or envelopes that did not meet the new requirements. Michigan joined 24 other states in challenging the rule, and lower courts blocked it before the administration sought emergency relief from the Supreme Court. The order is not a final ruling on USPS authority, but it preserves Michigan’s current absentee voting system for 2026, a result praised by Attorney General Dana Nessel and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as protecting clerks, voters, and state control over election administration.

On Point

Press Release: Honigman Welcomes Government Contracts Attorney Adam Bartolanzo to Washington DC Office

Adam advises government contractors on the full range of federal procurement matters, helping clients navigate complex regulatory requirements, contract performance issues, compliance obligations, disputes, and strategic business decisions. 

Looking Ahead

Data centers continue to be a hot button issue across the country. The White House’s push for more development of data centers to counter China has been met with resistance from members of both political parties, leading to a rare wedge between Republicans. President Trump believes data centers must continue to be developed to give America an edge on the AI front. Coverage of town halls and community events has shown residents on both sides of the political spectrum support moratoriums, if not outright bans, on data center developments. Concerns range from usage of water to rising costs of utilities. In the Michigan legislature, there could be movement before Election Day to pass bills that would place a moratorium on data center development statewide.