January 1st-21st, 2025

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Friday, January 31st, 2025
January Quarterly PAC Reports DueFriday, January 31st, 2025
Winter 2024 Lobby Disclosure Reports DueWednesday, February 26th, 2025
Governor's State of the State AddressBollin to be House Appropriations Chair; Maddock as VC; Farhat as MVC
Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) announced recently that Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton) has been appointed Chair of the House Appropriations Committee, with Rep. Matt Maddock (R-Milford) serving as Majority Vice Chair. Rep. Alabas A. Farhat (D-Dearborn) will serve as Minority Vice Chair.
Bollin brings extensive experience, having chaired the Elections and Ethics Committee and serving on Appropriations in previous legislative sessions. We are still awaiting additional committee assignments and expect to see those released in the coming weeks.
Governor Whitmer Unveils Vision for Michigan's Economic Future in "Road Ahead" Address
Last week, Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her “Road Ahead Address” at the Detroit Auto Show, focusing on Michigan’s economic future and the critical role of our auto industry. She highlighted bipartisan achievements, including passing over 1,400 bills, and outlined her vision for Michigan to lead the evolving “auto ecosystem,” encompassing battery factories, software companies, and advanced manufacturing.
Whitmer proposed replacing expiring economic tools like the bipartisan job fund and road bonding plan with innovative initiatives such as a “Make it in Michigan” job fund, tax incentives for hiring Michigan workers, and investments in housing, transit, and infrastructure. She emphasized collaboration with both state and national leaders to secure Michigan’s position as an auto industry leader and safeguard its economy from global competition.
Additional insight on Whitmer’s goals for the 103rd legislature will be revealed in February during her State of the State Address and presentation of the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Executive Budget Recommendations.
State Revenues Trending Upward Following January CREC
Michigan’s January Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (CREC) revealed an upward trend in state revenues for the current fiscal year, with a $588 million increase attributed to higher taxes. Projections suggest a $1.2 billion budget increase for FY 2026, divided between the School Aid and General Omnibus budgets. While job growth continues post-pandemic, Michigan’s unemployment rate has also risen, driven by high federal interest rates impacting manufacturing. These findings set the stage for FY 26 budget discussions, beginning with the Governor’s executive budget recommendation in February.
Details on previous revenue reports are available Here.
Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt Announces Bid for Governor
Republican Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt has officially entered the 2026 race for Michigan governor, becoming the first major party candidate to declare his candidacy.
Nesbitt has stated his campaign will have a “Michigan First” agenda, while highlighting his background as a dairy farmer, father, and advocate for small business, agriculture, law enforcement, and the Second Amendment. He also expressed strong support for President Donald Trump and pledged to prioritize Michigan families and workers.
Other Republicans, including former Attorney General Mike Cox, 2022 candidates Tudor Dixon and Kevin Rinke, U.S. Representative John James, and former House Speaker Tom Leonard, are rumored to be considering bids at this time.
2024 Sees a 10% Increase in Four-Year-Olds Enrolled in Free Pre-K
In 2024, Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) enrolled over 45,000 four-year-olds in free pre-kindergarten, a 10% increase from 2023. This program received funding via a $655 million state budget allocation.
The program, which aims to provide universal pre-K access for 75% of Michigan’s four-year-olds, currently serves 38% of the state’s nearly 117,000 children in that age group. The funding can serve up to 54,000 students and still has 11,000 unfilled spots available to students.
The GSRP emphasizes the importance of early education for early development, emotional intelligence, and long-term academic and career success. MiLEAP Director Beverly Walker-Griffea also highlighted the program’s impact, saving families an estimated $10,000 annually in childcare costs while retaining $450 million in the state’s economy.