(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/30/2024) Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor) scored a perfect 100 percent liberal voting record, edging nine of her Democratic colleagues, while Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford)'s vote against expanding how far apart property owners must post their no-trespassing signs earned him the House most conservative voting record in 2024.

Using the new MIRS voting scorecard system and 50 roll call votes, Brabec earned the first 100 percent liberal voting record in years. Her vote against allowing for a special electricity rate for the Hemlock semiconductor and expanding the amount pawnbrokers can charge their clients were two of the votes that separated her from a pack of nine others who had 98 percent liberal voting records.

"It has been an incredible honor to represent the 33rd and 55th districts for the past four years.  The residents entrusted me to be their voice in Lansing.  I am proud to have represented the majority of our residents' values as it pertains to physical and mental healthcare, environmental issues, gun violence prevention, education, criminal justice reform, economic justice, elections, and many other vital issues.  During my tenure, I not only voted to support these values, but I worked in a pragmatic way to get things done, including working across the aisle with my Republican colleagues. The historic representation of this seat and in our County is carried on with this designation. I am proud to be a part of that legacy," Brabec told MIRS.

Over on the conservative side, Maddock and Rep. Neil Friske (R-Charlevoix) stuck together with their conservative voting records, but Maddock stuck out this year for voting against a liquor license expansion for Eastern Michigan University (EMU) and weakening penalties on farmers who don't report the death or injury of their family members on the farm.

Reacting to today's news, Maddock referenced the Yule Goat that the Satanic Temple of West Michigan put on the Capitol lawn this year. "Considering there's a devil-worshipping goat on the Capitol lawn, being the most conservative in this context doesn't feel like much of a win."

Meanwhile, the gulf between the House's most conservative Democratic member – Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Belleville) – and the most liberal Republican members – Rep. Nancy DeBoer (R-Holland) and Rep. Kathy Schmaltz (R-Jackson) continued to expand. In 2023, the most conservative Democrat voted the liberal position 86 percent of the time and the most liberal Republican 54 percent of the time. This year, Miller voted liberal 88 percent of the time and DeBoer/Schmaltz voted liberal 44 percent of the time.

As in the Senate and similar to last year, Democratic members clumped together for nearly all of their votes as they hung together to pass their fellow members' priorities, while Republicans, who had no policy-making responsibility, were more free to vote their conscience or their district.

To appreciate the difference, 20 years ago members' conservative/liberal voting records spanned the spectrum, with some overlap between Democratic and Republican members (See "The Most Liberal/Conservative House Member of 2004," 12/27/04). This year, the polarization has gotten to a point where all but two members of the House Democratic caucus voted the same liberal position 98 percent to 90 percent of the time.

Final Ranking (Percentage of Liberal Votes)

100% - Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor)

98%- Reps. Emily E. Dievendorf (D-Lansing), Jenn Hill (D-Marquette), Kara Hope (D-Lansing), Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy), Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit), Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor), Veronica A. Paiz (D-Harper Woods), Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) and Jimmie Wilson Jr. (D-Ypsilanti).

96% - Reps. Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn), Jaime Churches (D-Wyandotte), Betsy Coffia (D-Traverse City), Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor), Kimberly Edwards (D-Eastpointe), Kristian C. Grant (D-Grand Rapids), Matt Koleszar (D-Plymouth), Natalie Price (D-Berkley), Carrie A. Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor) and Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing).

94% - Reps. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck), Kelly Breen (D-Novi), Julie Brixie (D-Okemos), Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit), Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), Alabas A. Farhat (D-Dearborn), John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming), Carol Glanville (D-Grand Rapids), Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek), Jason Hoskins (D-Southfield), Jasper R. Martus (D-Flushing), Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park), Denise Mentzer (D-Mount Clemens), Christine Morse (D-Kalamazoo), Cynthia Neeley (D-Flint), Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia), Helena Scott (D-Detroit), Phil Skaggs (D-Grand Rapids), Will Snyder (D-Muskegon), Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), Joe Tate (D-Detroit), Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), Angela Witwer (D-Lansing) and Stephanie YOUNG (D-Detroit).

93% - Rep. Peter Herzberg (D-Westland) and Mai Xiong (D-Warren).

92% - Reps. Joey Andrews (D-St. Joseph), Tullio Liberati, JR. (D-Allen Park), Ranjeev PURI (D-Canton), Dylan Wegela (D-Garden City) and Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit)

90% - Reps. Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield), Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) and Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights).

88% - Rep. Reggie Miller (D-Belleville).

44% - Reps. Nancy DeBoer (R-Holland) and Kathy Schmaltz (R-Jackson).

42% - Reps. Graham Filler (R-St. Johns) and John Roth (R-Interlochen).

40% - Reps. Tom Kunse (R-Clare), Mike Mueller (R-Linden), Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd) and Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills).

38% - Reps. David Martin (R-Davison) and Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown).

36% - Reps. Joseph A. Aragona (R-Clinton Township), Ken Borton (R-Gaylord), Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland), Pauline Wendzel (R-Coloma) and Dale Zorn (R-Onsted)

34% - Reps. Robert Bezotte (R-Howell), Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock), Bradley SLAGH (R-Zeeland) and Greg VanWoerkom (R-Norton Shores).

32% - Reps. Brian Begole (R-Perry), Timothy Beson (R-Bay City), Pat Outman (R-Six Lakes) and Douglas C. Wozniak (R-Shelby Township).

30% - Reps. Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar), Matt Hall (R-Richland Township), Mike Harris (R-Clarkston) and Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River).

28% - Reps. Gregory Alexander (R-Carsonville), Tom Kuhn (R-Troy), Sarah L. Lightner (R-Springport) and Brad Paquette (R-Niles).

26% - Reps. Phil Green (R-Millington), Gina Johnsen (R-Lake Odessa), Bryan Posthumus (R-Rockford) and Rep. Alicia St. Germaine (R-Harrison Township).

24% - Reps. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton) and Curtis Vanderwall (R-Ludington).

22% - Reps. William Bruck (R-Erie) and Rep. Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan).

20% - Rep. Donni Steele (R-Lake Orion).

18% - Rep. Andrew Fink (R-Osseo).

16% - Reps. Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay), Jaime Greene (R-Richmond) and Luke Meerman (R-Coopersville).

14%- Reps. Andrew Beeler (R-Port Huron) and Angela Rigas (R-Alto).

12% - Reps. Joseph D. Fox (R-Fremont) and Mike Hoadley (R-Au Gres).

10% - Reps. Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers), James DeSana (R-Carleton), Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) and Rachelle SMIT (R-Shelbyville).

6% - Rep. Neil Friske (R-Charlevoix).

4% - Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford).

House Votes Used

1. Roll Call 10, HR 191 – Denounces the use of racist, white supremacist language by members of the House, a reference to a tweet from Rep. Josh SCHRIVER (R-Oxford). Liberal vote is yes.

2. Roll Call 14, SB 57 – Bans the sale of objects known for inhaling nitrous oxide. Liberal vote is yes.

3. Roll Call 18, HB 4011 – Reduces penalties for family farmers who fail to report the death or injury of their family members on the farm. Liberal vote is yes.

4. Roll Call 39, HB 5077 – Allows state agencies to distribute the overdose treatment Naloxone, expanding their ability to purchase and possess the drug. Liberal vote is yes.

5. Roll Call 81, HB 4343 – Requires the state's Department of Insurance and Financial Services to submit a yearly report on payday loan transactions, licensees and complaints. Liberal vote is yes.

6. Roll Call 146, HB 5223 - Increases penalties on drivers who hit bicyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable users of the road. Liberal vote is yes.

7. Roll Call 153, HB 5393 – Extends the amount of time juvenile offenders have to complete the juvenile consent calendar from three months to six months. Liberal vote is yes.

8. Roll Call 161, SB 465  – Creates a traffic violation for those driving closer than 200 feet from a snowplow on streets in which the speed limit is faster than 35 miles-per-hour. Liberal vote is yes.

9. Roll Call 172, SB 603  – Makes it easier for local officials to call for recounts, which is intended to make it more difficult for "frivolous" recounts to take place. Liberal vote is yes.

10. Roll Call 180, SB 328  – Requires all smoke alarms to be powered by non-renewable, non-replaceable batteries that last at least 10 years. Liberal vote is yes.

11. Roll Call 186,  SB 789 – Allows a liquor license for an offsite restaurant project being developed by Eastern Michigan University. Liberal vote is yes.

12. Roll Call 200, HB 4177 – Creates a museum authority that would be given the power to ask for an extra millage in Oakland and Wayne counties. Liberal vote is yes.

13. Roll Call 202, SB 501 – Allows a vehicle or combination of vehicles with a gross weight of up to 82,000 pounds powered by electric batteries to exceed certain axle loading weights. Liberal vote is yes.

13. Roll Call 207, HB 5557

 – Requires a local government's master plan to feature an assessment of the community's existing and anticipated housing demands. Liberal vote is yes.

15. Roll Call 223, HB 5523 – Creates a new "Bureau of Community Action and Economic Opportunity." Liberal vote is yes.

16. Roll Call 224, HB 5827  – Extends unemployment benefits to 26 weeks with a maximum benefit of $614 a week. Liberal vote is yes.

17. Roll Call 225, SB 571 – Ensures that contractors follow prevailing wage requirements. Liberal vote yes.

18. Roll Call 226, HB 4409 – Requires drug manufacturers to report costs and pricing to the Department of Insurance and Financial Services if they increase their wholesale costs by 15 percent or more. Liberal vote is yes.

19. Roll Call 227, SB 398 – Allows environmental regulators to issue emergency orders to protect public health and safety. Liberal vote is yes.

20. Roll Call 229, HB 5027 – Requires insurance companies to cover certain prenatal screenings. Liberal vote is yes.

21. Roll Call 242, SB 599  – Allows medically frail inmates who are paroled for health reasons to be released from a medical facility. Liberal vote is yes.

22. Roll Call 244, SB 544  – Regulates refrigeration facilities and removal services for dead human bodies. Liberal vote yes.

23. Roll Call 270, SB 911 – Lowers the amount public school districts need to spend on their employee retirement payments. Liberal vote yes.

24. Roll Call 262, HB 4063 – Prohibits landlords with five or more rental units from discriminating against prospective or current tenants based on their source of income. Liberal vote is yes.

25. Roll Call 274, HB 4486 – Makes it clear that governmental immunity laws do not apply to those under its charge who engage in criminal sexual conduct. Liberal vote is yes.

26. Roll Call 288, HB 5536 – Increases the maximum interest rate that a pawnbroker can charge on a loan from 3% to 5%. Liberal vote is no.

27. Roll Call 297, SB 237 – Provides use tax breaks for data centers. Liberal vote is no.

28. Roll Call 298, SB 926 – Increases the annual deposits into the compulsive gaming prevention fund from gaming revenue. Liberal vote is yes.

29. Roll Call 302, SB 790 – Creates a body for in-home caregivers compensated through state subsidies to unionize and bargain. Liberal vote yes.

30. Roll Call 320, HB 5600 – Creates a new Office of Tribal Legislative Liaison. Liberal vote is yes.

31.Roll Call 327, HB 4361 – Allows tax write-offs for organ donations. Liberal vote is yes.

32. Roll Call 322, HB 5100 – Creates the research and development (R&D) tax credits. Liberal vote yes.

33. Roll Call 334, HB 4127 – Makes it illegal to have firearms, unless the person has a concealed carry permit, within 100 feet of the entrance of a polling location. Liberal vote is yes. 

34. Roll Call 336, HB 5400 – Provides a larger slate of hate crime instances and protected classes. Liberal vote is yes.

35. Roll Call 338, HB 5013 – Expands the ability for pharmacists to prescribe birth control for longer than the standard three-month supply. Liberal vote is yes.

36. Roll Call 341, HB 5450 – Requires school districts to send home a note, informing parents that state law requires them to lock their guns. Liberal vote is yes.

37. Roll Call 344, HB 4224 – Lifts the workforce requirements for those receiving Healthy Michigan, expanding Medicaid coverage. Liberal vote is yes.

38. Roll Call 348, SB 740 – Limits the number of apprentices that a licensed plumber can keep at a time. Liberal vote is yes.

39. Roll Call 349, HB 5164 – Requires the state to post on a website whose call centers have been moved overseas. The bill would disqualify companies from receiving any state economic development incentive dollars. Liberal vote is yes.

40. Roll Call 356, SB 504 – Allows the Michigan Public Service Commission to create a special lower rate for large energy consumers like Hemlock Semiconductor. Liberal vote no.

41. Roll Call 364, HB 4928 – Lets school buses be outfitted with a camera system to catch vehicles that ignore the stop lights or stop arm at pickup and drop-off for kids. Liberal vote is yes.

42. Roll Call 367, HB 4682 – Requires no trespassing signs be posted at least 250 feet along a property boundary, as opposed to one sign visible from any point of entry. Liberal vote is yes.

43. Roll Call 368, HB 4944 – Requires insurance companies to cover hearing aids for children under 19 years of age. Liberal vote is yes.

44. Roll Call 375, HB 5304 – Requires drivers to stay in the right-hand lane when driving when there are two lanes going in the same direction. Liberal vote is yes.

45. Roll Call 384, SB 353 – Expands who can receive energy bill assistance through the statewide Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP). Liberal vote yes.

46. Roll Call 389, HB 4096 – Requires the Michigan State Police to come up with standardized language for schools to use when it comes to "lockdowns," "shelter in place" and other terms used in emergency situations. Liberal vote is yes.

47. Roll Call 394, HB 5368 – Lowers the blood lead reference values to align with the latest health recommendations. Liberal vote is yes.

48. Roll Call 409, HB 5431 – Gives an exoneree fewer hurdles to receiving state compensation for having been wrongfully convicted. Liberal vote is yes.

49. Roll Call 480 HB 6144 – Requires police agencies to destroy firearms they obtain through a gun buy-back program. Liberal vote is yes.

50. Roll Call 484, HB 4729 – Allows some volunteer or part-time firefighters to be eligible for workers' compensation for respiratory and heart diseases. Liberal vote is yes.

Past Most House Liberal Member

2003 - Rep. Mary Waters (D-Detroit)

2004 - Rep. Jack Minore (D-Flint)

2005 - Rep. Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit)

2006 - Rep. Aldo Vagnozzi (D-Farmington Hills)

2007 - Rep. Steve Lindberg (D-Marquette)

2008 - Tobocman

2009 - Rep. Coleman Young II (D-Detroit)

2010 - Rep. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor)

2011 - Rep. John Olumba (D-Detroit)

2012 - Olumba

2013 - Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton (D-Huntington Woods)

2014 - Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit)

2015 - Rep. Robert Wittenberg (D-Oak Park)

2016 - Rep. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor)

2017 - Wittenberg

2018 - Rep. Tom Cochran (D-Mason)

2019 - Rep. LaTanya Garrett (D-Detroit)

2020 - Rep. Yousef Rabhi (D-Ann Arbor)

2021 - Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park)

2022 - Rep. Lori Stone (D-Warren)

2023 - Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck)

2024 - Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Ann Arbor)

Past Most Conservative House Member

2003 - Rep. Jack Hoogendyk (R-Kalamazoo), Rep. Fulton Sheen(R-Plainwell)

2004 - Rep. Ken Bradstreet (R-Gaylord)

2005 - Rep. Bob Gosselin (R-Troy)

2006 - Gosselin

2007 - Rep. Brian Palmer (R-Romeo)

2008 - Rep. John Garfield (R-Rochester)

2009 - Rep. Dave Agema (R-Grandville)

2010 - Rep. Tom Mcmillin (R-Rochester)

2011 - Agema

2012 - Agema

2013 - Rep. Bob Genetski (R-Saugatuck)

2014 - Genetski

2015 - Rep. Tom Hooker (R-Byron Center)

2016 - Hooker

2017 - Rep. Shane Hernandez (R-Port Huron)

2018 - Rep. Lana Theis (R-Brighton)

2019 - Rep. Steve Johnson (R-Wayland Twp.)

2020 - Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford)

2021 - Johnson

2022 - Rep. Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers)

2023 - Schriver

2024 - Maddock