Updates About Legislature

Following the recently announced executive recommendations, House Republican Appropriation Subcommittee chairs were given budget targets for Fiscal Year 2027. Although House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Ann Bollin (R-Brighton) did not outline specific numbers, she did share that the highest budget threshold goal is lower than what we saw in the previous budget. House Republicans say they plan to address the projected $800 million January CREC shortfall without raising taxes. Representative Bollin said GOP priorities for the upcoming budget include strengthening Michigan’s businesses and improving the education system, while cutting spending where possible. Republicans also signaled they will push back against any proposals that increase taxes.

Prior to this report, Republican House Speaker Matt Hall (Richland) announced a new 6% sales tax proposal on select services that is projected to garner $4.73 billion for the state. His proposal applies to certain services usually popular with tourists and wealthier residents. Among the services included in the tax proposal are country club memberships, travel agencies, newspaper publishing, performing arts, political advertising, environmental consulting, and recreational activities such as skiing and golf. Speaker Hall stated that his proposal is not aimed at working class families and instead targets out of state visitors.

The proposal is intended to offset Hall’s proposed property tax cuts that currently generate about $5 billion in revenue. Overall, his tax plan would result in approximately a $270 million net tax cut.

Recently, Governor Whitmer signed SB 495 (Polehanki, D-Livonia) and HB 4141 (Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills) into law with immediate effect. Representative Tisdel’s bill, now Public Act 1 of 2026, bans the use of cellphones by students during instructional periods in all Michigan schools. The bill champoined by Senator Polehanki, now Public Act 2 of 2026, requires schools to develop protocols for when and how students may use their cellphones during an emergency. The legislation passed both chambers with broad bipartisan support.

The previous law allowed districts to create their own policies regarding cellphones. Whitmer called for the ban during her State of the State address last year. The Governor hopes the ban will help students with overall ability to learn, reduce behavioral issues, support higher test scores, and improve students’ mental health. The law applies only to instructional time, and future changes could be considered based on feedback from school leaders.

Last week, House Majority Floor Leader Byran Posthumus (R-Rockford) unexpectedly announced that he will not be seeking reelection to keep his seat in the next cycle.

In his statement, he wrote that he only planned to serve three terms after deciding to run in 2020. Posthumus was elected by his colleagues twice to serve as the House Floor Leader in his last two terms. By announcing his decision now, he hopes this will give sufficient time for a quality candidate to run in 2026.

Like Posthumus, his successor will represent the 90th House District. This northern Kent County district also encompasses the city of Rockford and the townships of Algoma, Alpine, Cannon, Courtland, Grattan, Plainfield, Sparta, Tyrone, and Vergennes.

Posthumus described his time in office as a privilege, saying it was an honor to serve both Kent County and the people of Michigan. He praised colleagues from both parties for what they were able to accomplish during his tenure. He also emphasized that despite their differences, both sides share a common goal of helping Michigan and its residents.