MGS Consultants

THE LANSING LOWDOWN Whitmer Meets to Discuss Road Funding This upcoming Thursday, Governor Whitmer will meet with a handful of legislators to further discuss a solution for road funding. Whitmer wants to find a sustainable, long-term road funding solution. Last week, Rep. Alabas Farhart (D-Dearborn) introduced legislation to call for a more holistic approach to finding a lasting solution. Tax Dollar Transparency to Taxpayers Yesterday, the House Finance Committee met to examine potential legislation that would provide each taxpayer with an annual precise report on how their tax dollars are being spent. The legislation would provide a report listing where their money is going, including allocations to the General Fund, the School Aid Fund, the Michigan Transportation Fund, the Renew Michigan Fund, and the State Campaign Fund. Rep. Matt Bierlein (R-Vassar) supports the bill and has stated that taxpayers deserve transparency on where their money is going and a thorough report would improve the confusion. For more information on the developing stories, contact us at: [email protected]

THE LANSING LOWDOWN Anthony to Help with Medical Debt Relief Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) stated that she is pleased that Governor Whitmer touched on combating medical debt in her State of the State speech last Wednesday. In recent years, some action has been taken, including $4.5 million of medical debt relief in the fiscal year 2023-24 budget. The funding for these reliefs was obtained through a nonprofit group to help low-income patients with medical debt. Anthony stated that she would support policies to strengthen Michigan's medical debt laws. For more information on the developing stories, contact us at: [email protected]

THE LANSING LOWDOWN Court Won't Order House to Present Reamaining Nine Bills Judge Sima Patel's order on Thursday stated that the court would not force the House to present the remaining nine bills from the prior term to Governor Whitmer. The question is whether Speaker Matt Hall has the right to refuse to present the bills, while Senate Majority Leader Winne Brinks said the bills must be presented in March. The remaining nine bills were undergoing a legal review under the House. MSHDA On a Roll The annual report for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) was released on Thursday, stating that they invested $2.15 billion in affordable housing, supporting the construction, rehabilitation, or purchase of over 12,421 homes in 2024. Whitmer set a goal in 2021 to build or rehabilitate 75,000 homes in five years; however, MSHDA was on track to surpass that number, so Whitmer raised the bar to 115,000 homes. As of this year, Michigan has rehabilitated 64,270 homes. For more information on the developing stories, contact us at:?[email protected]

Last week, MGS Consultants was thrilled to host Justin Heckel Director of State Government Affairs for UPS for a legislative day at our state's Capitol. A special thank you to Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, Speaker Matt Hall, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, Speaker Pro Tempore Rachelle Smit (pictured), House Minority Floor Leader John Fitzgerald, and other key lawmakers and staff for taking the time to meet with us to discuss our policy priorities. Also, thank you to MGS lobbyists Vicki Baron and Omar A. Sims for leading these discussions and helping make the day a success! #delieverwhatmatters #mileg #milegislature #mgsconsultants

THE LANSING LOWDOWN Last Minute Changes? Thursday night, the legislature agreed to amend the state’s paid sick time law before the Friday deadline. The changes include how much time employers must provide and how the law will be administered. Earlier in the day, the bill preserving a lower tipped minimum wage went into effect. SB 8 will increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2030 and will increase the tipped minimum wage to 50% of the minimum wage by 2031. Two-Year Cooling Off Period for Lawmakers to Lobbyists Three new bills were passed by the House on Thursday to prevent people serving in the Legislature from immediately becoming lobbyists when they leave office. The bills state that state representatives, senators, and department directors must have a two-year off period before becoming a lobbyist. One of the bills also states not allowing lawmakers to work as lobbyists in another state. For more information on the developing stories contact us at: [email protected]

THE LANSING LOWDOWN Negotiations Continue for Sick Time and Wage Laws? Discussions continue in the Michigan Legislature on the future of paid sick leave requirements and the phase-out of the lower minimum wage for tipped workers. While progress is being made on minimum wage, finding a compromise on changes to the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA) has proven more difficult. If the legislature can’t reach an agreement, the laws will take effect this Friday, February 21. Clement Resigns From the Supreme Court? Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement announced her resignation from the Supreme Court Wednesday. Clement, who served two terms as its leader, told Governor Gretchen Whitmer of her plans to step down from the bench by April 30. This will give Whitmer the opportunity to nominate her successor. For more information on the developing stories contact us at: [email protected]

THE LANSING LOWDOWN Greenlee Drops Out Political Consultant, Scott Greenlee, announced today his decision to drop out of the race for chair of the Michigan Republican Party. Greenlee has also declared his endorsement for Meshawn Maddock in her bid for the chair position. Employer-Supported Housing Fund Launches? A $10 million employer-assisted housing fund has just been set in motion by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) to help bridge the gap between the creation of new jobs and the lack of housing units. Governor Gretchen Whitmer publicized the launch of the program at the Northern Michigan Chamber Alliance Policy Conference in Traverse City and conveyed the funding comes from the 2024-25 fiscal year budget. MSHDA has communicated the current ratio in Michigan of new jobs to housing units is 14:1 and this program could help resolve the problem. For more information on the developing stories contact us at: [email protected]

THE LANSING LOWDOWN Senate to Take Possible Legal Action on Final Nine Bills The Senate adopted a resolution on authorizing Senate Majority Leader, Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) to begin legal action on behalf of the Senate to persuade the House of Representatives to fulfill their constitutional duty and present the remaining nine bills to the governor. House Speaker Matt Hall has stated earlier this month that the remaining nine bills are undergoing a legal review and will not be presented to the governor until the review comes back. Bid For Candidacy for Governor 2026 Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has formally announced her official bid for 2026 candidacy for governor. For more information on the developing stories contact us as: [email protected]

THE LANSING LOWDOWN Road Crisis Funding? Thursday, January 17th, House Speaker Matt Hall defined a new long-term plan to help the road crisis. The proposed plan is an update on Hall’s plan from November. The main difference is the budget would be raised from $2.7 billion to $3.145 billion all without raising taxes. The most significant component is to eliminate tax breaks under the old Michigan Economic Growth Authority program and redirect those funds to help repair and rebuild the roads. Tipped Wage & Paid Sick Leave Legislation dealing with tipped minimum wage and earned sick leave were voted through by the House Select Committee on Thursday. HB 4001 would repeal the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act of 2018 and make changes regarding the tipped minimum wage in Michigan. HB 4002 would make changes to the Earned Sick Time Act (ESTA). The bills are now in the full House and are expected to be voted on next week. If they want to make a change, legislators would need to move quickly as the Michigan Supreme Court’s decision will take effect on February 21st. Negotiations are expected between chambers.? Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced that her seventh State of the State address will take place on February 26th. For more information on the developing stories contact us at: [email protected]

THE LANSING LOWDOWN January 2025 Estimated Revenues Up? Friday’s Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference highlighted that the Legislature will have several hundred million dollars more than expected in the upcoming budget. The estimated Total General Fund revenue for the fiscal year 2025 was an increase of 1.5 percent from the previous fiscal year 2023-24. One key issue some legislatures are focusing on is spending the extra money on crumbling roads. Senator Jon Bumstead (R-North Muskegon) explained how a priority for everyone is the roads and ensuring they are drivable in all of Michigan. For more information on the developing stories contact us at: [email protected]