Updates About People

Attorney General Dana Nessel has formally intervened in Consumers Energy’s request to raise electric rates by approximately $436 million, potentially the largest request filed in decades. The proposed hike, submitted to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), would increase electric bills for Michigan residential customers by 13.3% and take effect in May 2026, if approved. In addition to the rate increase, Consumers Energy is also seeking to recoup $24 million in deferred distribution costs through a separate 12-month charge.

The multi-billion dollar company announced the latest hike to electric rates just seven days after the MPSC approved a separate $154 million rate increase that went into effect in April. The Attorney General’s office has stated they will be closely examining the filing to prevent state residents from paying unnecessary costs.

Michigan Court of Claims judge Sima Patel has found that several abortion laws, including a 24-hour waiting period prior to undergoing the procedure, violate the Reproductive Freedom for All constitutional amendment approved by voters in 2022. Other restrictions that she ruled against include requiring patients to receive state-directed counseling and limiting the abortion procedure to be provided only by physicians. Patel determined that these laws imposed unconstitutional burdens on patients seeking care. Under the ruling, physician assistants and nurse practitioners may now offer these services. Judge Patel’s rulings went into effect on May 13th.

The Michigan School Safety and Mental Health Commission has released its final set of recommendations, urging lawmakers to increase per-pupil funding and address staffing shortages for school-based mental health and safety professionals. Formed in response to the 2021 Oxford High School shooting, the commission consulted with experts, educators, and families to develop ten recommendations aimed at strengthening mental health services and school safety statewide.

A key concern highlighted in the report is Michigan’s significant gap in staffing ratios of school counselors, psychologists, and social workers. Our state has just one school psychologist for every 1,500 students—three times higher than the ratio recommended by the National Association of School Psychologists. The commission called for a multi-year plan to meet national staffing standards and retain qualified professionals.

Additional recommendations include promoting trauma-informed practices, expanding social-emotional learning, and ensuring staff are trained to identify and respond to student mental health needs. The commission emphasized that effective change requires consistent funding, fewer policy shifts, and a long-term plan to grow Michigan’s school mental health workforce.