09/01/2026
Lansing Update 9/1/26: For those new to my Facebook, I always share my vote explanations. Since we were in session last week, I’m keeping you updated on the bills taken up by your Michigan House. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
The biggest thing that we voted on was to adopt the Michiganders Money out of Politics ballot proposal as written. The language of this proposal is as follows:
To prohibit regulated electric and gas utilities, contractors with over $250,000 annually in government contracts, and people and organizations with substantial connections to these utilities/contractors from making direct or indirect campaign contributions to those who run for or hold offices that impact them; expand campaign finance laws and restrictions that regulate spending on political communications, including laws that require disclosing donor information, to apply to communications clearly identifying candidates or ballot questions, even if they do not expressly advocate voting for/against them; expressly apply the law requiring disclosure of who paid for political communications to internet political communications.
The Legislature can adopt ballot proposals (they cannot adopt and amend in the same term as that was ruled unconstitutional by the State Supreme Court). I voted YES in support of this ballot proposal because I think it’s gotten way out of hand. I have accepted corporate dollars- most politicians have to with how expensive politics has gotten. That’s why I’d support changing the way it operates, because how can anyone expect to enter the political field when it costs hundreds of thousands. The ballot passed out of the House 77-26, the Senate doesn’t intend to vote on it, and it will be up for the general election on Tuesday, November 3.
Another thing we voted on was for the House to create a select committee with subpoena powers to review the rules of the Board of State Canvassers and the Bureau of Elections (HR 350). This doesn’t change election law but it does allow the House to investigate if ballot initiatives are being handled properly. This comes following the Citizens Only Voting constitutional amendment fight, which submitted 446K more signatures than required but failed to be certified and make the general ballot.
Other bills we took up included:
I voted YES on HB 5648 (Rep. Woolford), which would require public schools to give high school credit to seniors who work full time in an approved CTE trade occupation. The bill addresses Michigan’s skilled labor shortage by moving job-ready workers into the workforce faster without lowering graduation standards. This legislation passed 59-39.
I voted YES on HBs 5920/21 (Reps. Wortz and Pavlov), which would provide additional oversight over the Department of Corrections. It would expand who could make complaints for investigation to family members of a prisoner, corrections workers, and prisoner advocates. Bringing greater transparency to conditions in prisons will support improvements in safety and humane treatment for both prisoners and corrections workers. This legislation passed 102-2.
I voted YES on HB 4813 (Rep. Pavlov), which ensures children of National Guard members are covered under the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. This legislation passed 97-1.
I voted YES on SB 22 (Sen. Anthony) which would allow a landlord to return a security deposit via direct deposit or electric fund transfer. This legislation passed 104-0 and returns to the Senate.
I voted YES on SB 373 (Sen. Cavanaugh), which would prohibit rent payment options, such as online portals, from imposing additional charges. This legislation passed 99-5 and returns to the Senate.
I voted YES on SB 1013 (Sen. Moss), which would prohibit insurance companies from using price optimization in any rate making. This legislation passed 97-7 and returns to the Senate.
I voted YES on HB 5359 (Rep. Bierlein), which would create an income tax credit for E15 and E85 fuels. Increasing the availability of E15 ethanol and E85 gives consumers greater choice at the pump, making cheaper fuels more available and providing support for our Michigan farmers. This legislation passed 77-21.
I voted YES on SB 527 (Sen. McBroom), which would allow foreclosure property auctions to be held virtually/online, making the foreclosure sale process more accessible and efficient. This legislation passed 104-0 and returns to the Senate.
I voted YES on SB 569 (Sen. Anthony), which provides adjusted revenue allocations to support future priorities. This legislation passed 98-6 and returns to the Senate.
I voted YES on SB 1052 (Sen. Chang), which encourages state participation in Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This legislation passed 100-4 and returns to the Senate.
I voted YES on HB 5356 (Rep. Schuette), which makes modernized updates to the state vehicle code to deal with regulatory issues. This legislation passed 82-16.
I voted YES on HB 5452 (Rep. Lightner), which extends Michigan trial courts’ authority to impose discretionary court costs on people convicted of crimes. This will save our local trial courts 30 million dollars for their essential services. This legislation passed 84-14.
I voted YES on HB 5803 (Rep. Bierlein), which exempts preschool classrooms in certified public and nonpublic schools from paying for a childcare license. This legislation passed 56-42.
I voted YES on HB 5940 (Rep. Prestin), which would allow new overhead electric transmission lines to be placed within existing rights of way along limited access highways. This reduces the need to take private property for new transmission corridors, lowers project costs, and expands Michigan’s electric grid more efficiently. This legislation passed 98-0.
I voted YES on HB 6243 (Rep. Posthumus), which would ensure legitimate government housing programs are not impacted by the new state law banning large corporations from purchasing more than 100 homes. This legislation passed 83-15.
