Updates About Legislature

According to a statement released by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director, Elizabeth Hertel, the meager budget passed by House Republicans would have dire consequences on Michigan residents. Hertel highlighted that the budget’s $4.95 billion reduction in MDHHS funding would lead to significant staff reductions impacting child protective services workers, benefits specialists, disease specialists, and fraud, waste, and abuse investigators.

The director also reported that the budget cuts would curb certain service programs such as removing $20 million in adult dental coverage, $10 million to hospitals for maternal health care, $7 million for the Office of Community Violence and their gun violence reduction efforts, $6.8 million to state psychiatric hospitals, and $4 million toward addressing homelessness.

Hertel stressed that the eliminated funding would negatively impact behavioral health services by increasing wait times and decreasing the state’s patient capacity capabilities. The cuts would also erase Medicaid coverage for approximately 33% of residents in rural communities, placing an extra burden on local hospitals and resources posed with absorbing the costs of their care.

A new report from AdImpact projects that in the next 14 months leading up to the 2026 Michigan midterm elections, $936 million is expected to be spent in political advertising. The open gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races are contributing factors to the considerable ad spending. Pending ballot eligibility for several petition initiatives could further intensify political expenses.

The U.S. Senate race to replace Senator Gary Peters (D- Bloomfield Township), is expected to be one of the most expensive upcoming races in the country. AdImpact reports that over $220 million was spent on Michigan’s 2024 U.S. Senate election, with projections for 2026 topping $500 million.

Heavy spending is likely in competitive state Senate and House districts, as well as the gubernatorial race. The Michigan Legislature races are predicted to be the second highest in the nation, with $56.9 million expected to be spent on advertisements. The race for governor, currently recognized as a toss-up, is forecasted to be the highest cost gubernatorial race nationwide with a projected $152 million. Compared to the 2022 cycle, similar competitive races drew $80 million.

The first half of 2025 has produced the lowest number of public acts during an active legislative session in Michigan history. Only six public acts have been signed into law, far below the nearly 200-bill average typically passed by mid-July. The only instances with fewer laws enacted were years when the Legislature didn’t convene at all. Prior to 1951, the Legislature typically met every two years, but even in years with brief special sessions, more was accomplished. For instance, during the Spanish-American War in 1898, lawmakers passed eight public acts in just 22 days. This sluggish pace has been attributed to the partisan standoff between the Republican-led House and Democrat-controlled Senate, with observers on both sides pointing to a breakdown in bipartisan cooperation and growing political polarization.