09/25/2026
Lansing Update 9/25/26: In keeping with what I have done throughout this term, below are my vote explanations for the week. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.
I voted YES for HB 6282 (Rep. Fairbairn), which would prohibit former legislators from working for organizations that receive a grant from the utility consumer participation board for two years after leaving office. Since legislators set guardrails and available dollar amount for the board, they should not benefit from state grants given out to organizations by the board. This is a continued push by House Republicans to instill trust in state government again, and follows laws being signed that prohibit state legislators from becoming lobbyists immediately after their term and a more transparent budgeting process. This legislation passed 88-15.
I voted YES for HBs 6259-63 (Reps. Bollin, St. Germaine, Tisdel, Steele, and Kuhn). This bill package would increase the penalties of criminal sexual conduct with mandatory minimum sentences (15 year minimum for 1st degree- 10 year minimum for 2nd degree- 5 year minimum for 3rd degree, and makes 4th degree a felony instead of a misdemeanor). Criminal sexual conduct is an incredibly serious matter, involving long lasting physical and mental harm, and the punishment must meet the severity of the crime. These bills passed out of the House 77-26, 79-24, 78-25, 77-26, and 79-24.
I voted YES for SB 433 (Sen. Polehanki), which would require MDHHS to provide educational materials on the dangers of vapes and THC products. The CDC estimates almost 1/3 of high school seniors use cannabis and found students as young as 6th grade had access to vapes. Adolescent usage of cannabis can contribute to mental health issues (like schizophrenia) and physical health issues (like lung disease). This legislation passed out of the House 99-4.
I voted YES on SB 947 (Sen. McMorrow), which would create a statewide registration system, strengthen inspection requirements, and expand state oversight regarding Michigan’s dams. One thing that doesn’t seem to be discussed much is the current state of Michigan’s infrastructure. We have finally addressed our roads and bridges with the $2 billion dollar a year roads plan, but that doesn’t deal with dams. Michigan’s dams are old, and after the Midland and Cheboygan crises, it’s time we take a hard look at them to reduce the risk of future dam failures. This legislation passed out of the House 96-7.
I voted YES for HB 6302 (Rep. Maddock), which would provide additional instructions on displaying the American flag in school classrooms. This legislation passed 76-27.
I voted YES for HBs 5120/21 (Reps. Scott and Lightner), which would require that law enforcement officers serve PPOs at no cost to the petitioner. This legislation passed 96-7.
I voted YES for HB 6080 (Rep. DeBoer), which would raise the standards for coursework that can be used for teacher salary/personnel decisions by requiring it to be degree-eligible college credit documented on an official transcript. This ensures teachers receive salary increases for completing legitimate coursework (courses needed for the purpose of salary advancement or if it’s mandated by a collective bargaining agreement). This legislation passed 103-0.
I voted YES for HB 6309 (Rep. Wortz), which would rename a portion of M-86 in Branch County the “Casey Rice Memorial Highway”. Casey Rice was a Branch County Road Commission employee who was tragically killed by a semi-truck while operating a tractor-mower along I-96 on June 6th, 2026. He was 46 years old at the time of death and is survived by his wife, two children, and parents. This legislation passed 101-2.
I voted YES for SB 102 (Sen. Wojno), which would correct state law to require county treasurers to provide available property tax information for the tax year requested, rather than the technically impossible “current tax year”. This bill provides clarity for our county treasurers and passed out of the House 103-0.
I voted YES on SB 198 (Sen. Singh), which would create the Motor Vehicle Dealer Data Collection Act. This would establish rules for how vehicle manufacturers and third parties can access and store customer data. This bill strengthens consumer privacy by limiting dealers from unauthorized access to their personal financial information, while also protecting auto dealers from being forced to provide unrestricted access to their data systems. This legislation passed out of the House 102-1.
I voted YES on SB 413 (Sen. Wojno), which would increase access to mental health services by allowing 4,000 limited-license psychologists to practice independently and receive insurance reimbursement more readily. It also maintains supervised training requirements before independent practice, while addressing Michigan’s mental-health workforce shortages. This legislation passed out of the House 100-3.
I voted YES on SB 478 (Sen. Shink), which would authorize transfer of property in Green Oak Township from the Department of Corrections to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. This legislation passed 101-2.
I voted YES on HR 373 (Rep. DeBoyer), which is a resolution by the Michigan House condemning socialism, the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America, and any attempt to implement socialist policies in America. The principle of a government’s power being derived from the people is the cornerstone of both our state and federal constitution and is the opposite of what socialism is. We see a trend, especially amongst youth, of support for socialist policies and politicians. Yet this ignores the lessons of history. Socialist and communist regimes (socialism is the stepping stone, even Marx spoke on this) have killed millions in Soviet gulags, Chinese and Cambodian fields, and the streets of Cuba through starvation and oppression with the mass power government acquires. One of the reasons young people favor socialism is economic factors, yet they are sold a bag of lies. Our younger generations are in trouble due to already mass government spending over the last 60 years, which has devalued the dollar and led to inflation- Medicare for All would add another 20 trillion to that (for context the debt of this nation over 250 years is 40 trillion). We must always remember this: a government large enough to provide you everything you want has the power to take away everything you have. This resolution passed 58-34.
