Policy Issues

Attorney General Dana Nessel launched a new reporting form to collect information from residents regarding immigration action in Michigan.

The objectives of ensuring candidates and elected officials' privacy while also making their areas of residence more transparent to voters might seem to be somewhat in tension. A Rachelle Smit (R-Shelbyville) bill looks to move toward both.

Telemarketers peddling for-profit products to those on the federal do-not-call list with a fake phone number, a pre-recorded caller and no established consumer-business relationship face as much as a $75,000 civil fine under five bills that passed the Senate unanimously on Thursday.

If elected governor, U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township) said he would support expanding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to records in the governor's office and publicly disclose all of his personal finances in the same manner he's required to do so in Congress.

Frustrations over how the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) classifies “rural” dominated Tuesday's House Appropriations hearing, as Rep. Phil Green (R-Millington) and Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) challenged the department on the criteria used to determine whether Michigan counties for sweeping new federal Rural Health Transformation dollars.

So far in the 103rd Legislature, Rep. Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers) – one of the chamber's conservative members – has voted with the most progressive member – Rep. Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City) – nearly 50% of the time.

A glass jar of raw milk sat on the testimony table alongside Oreo cookies Thursday morning as Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford) kicked off a Government Operations Committee hearing on legislation that would allow a direct farm-to-consumer producer or designated agent to sell raw milk.

The Republican-led House is prepared to do “big things” in 2026 despite it being an election year, said House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) during Wednesday’s first press conference of the year.

The Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) blasted Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Mike Rogers for his perceived position on healthcare Tuesday, framing it as supportive of the insurance premium hikes that thousands of Americans are encountering early this year.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Swanson said law enforcement “is better than" what he saw in video footage from Minnesota, where a federal immigration agent shot a protester to death.

Democratic gubernatorial frontrunner Jocelyn Benson Thursday proposed a $5,000 caregiver tax credit as part of a health care reform agenda that she sees as a top campaign priority in 2026. The sitting Secretary of State noted that Michigan is dealing with a growing aged population that some have called a “senior tsunami.”

Michigan power companies would be required under law to restore power to 95% of their customers after a major storm or face escalating fines, management oversight changes or rejected cost recovery proposals under a proposal released Wednesday from Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Leonard.

The law the Republican-led House Appropriations Committee used to deny $645 million in carryover funding from the prior fiscal year through the "work project" process is unconstitutional, Attorney General Dana Nessel opined Wednesday.

House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) has vowed to push some form of property tax relief in the new year, but two political observers in this town have a different take on his chances for success.

Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton), a Republican candidate for governor, wants an audit of state subsidies provided to childcare providers. His request follows reports in Minnesota of significant fraud schemes, where Somali residents have been accused of fraudulently collecting government funding intended for child nutrition, housing services and autism programming.

It's officially 2026! We're electing a new governor, U.S. Senator, Secretary of State and attorney general.

The House and Senate leadership closed the door on 2025 on Thursday with big dreams for 2026, but none that seem to overlap.

In the first “deal” House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said he'd made with Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) this session, the House and Senate passed around 25 bills cracking down on bots during high-volume ticket sales, creating a voluntary high school hunter safety education class and updating standards on the machines used in mammograms.

House Republicans, led by Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton), launched on Thursday a Department of Government Efficient (DOGE)-like task force that's been charged with recommending sniffing out public assistance fraud and efficiencies within state government.

The House Health Policy Committee on Wednesday advanced a hospital price transparency bill and several health measures before turning to testimony on a mental health code rewrite designed to respond to individuals before “tragedy strikes.”