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5 days ago | 
michigancapitolconfidential.com | Jamie A. Hope
Consumers Energy’s request for a $436 million rate increase is one of the largest requests on record and comes just three months after a $154 million rate hike took effect. The regional monopoly provides natural gas and electricity to 6.8 million residents. Michigan Capitol Confidential reported in April on Consumers’ plan to request another rate increase from the Michigan Public Service Commission.
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1 week ago | 
michigancapitolconfidential.com | Jamie A. Hope
Two members of the state House of Representatives have submitted nearly identical funding requests for $5 million that would go to the Humane Society of Macomb. It is a nonprofit animal shelter of which Rep. Joseph Aragona, R-Clinton Township, who did not request the money, sits on the board of directors. Reps. Karen Whitsett, a Democrat from Detroit, and Ron Robinson, R-Utica, each filed a request for a $5 million earmark.
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2 weeks ago | 
michigancapitolconfidential.com | Jamie A. Hope
The YMCA in Owosso, a city with approximately 15,000 residents, could get nearly $10 million from state taxpayers, thanks to an earmark requested by a member of the Michigan House. Rep. Brian Begole, R-Antrim Township, requested $9.78 million in the 2026 budget for the Shiawassee Family YMCA. The YMCA is planning a full-facility renovation, according to his request. The renovation will be done in two phases, according to official documents.
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2 weeks ago | 
michigancapitolconfidential.com | Jamie A. Hope
Ann Arbor's City Council is considering a green-energy housing ordinance that would increase red tape and expenses for rental housing owners at a time when the council is also concerned about a lack of affordable housing in the city. The proposed Green Rental Housing Ordinance aims to enforce new energy standards on rental housing.
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2 weeks ago | 
michigancapitolconfidential.com | Jamie A. Hope
Michigan college students could lose state financial aid if their institution does not adopt diversity, equity, and inclusion policies — and their institution could lose federal funding if it has one. The Michigan Senate’s bill to fund university education, Senate Bill 167, were it agreed to by the House and signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, would limit financial aid to students whose college has a DEI program.
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3 weeks ago | 
michigancapitolconfidential.com | Jamie A. Hope
A Michigan lawmaker asked taxpayers to spend $2.5 million to build a horse education center in Detroit. She sat on the board of the organization but recently resigned. Rep. Helena Scott, D-Detroit, requested $2.5 million in the 2026 state budget for Detroit Horse Power, a nonprofit youth program. She resigned to prevent a conflict of interest, she told Michigan Capitol Confidential in a phone interview. A compilation of budget requests mentioned that Scott was on the board of Detroit Horse Power.
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3 weeks ago | 
michigancapitolconfidential.com | Jamie A. Hope
Gloria Henry, the mother of a special needs child has a message for home health care providers now that a Service Employees International Union member showed up at her house. Anyone who is visited by an SEIU representative should be wary of what they are signing, Henry told Michigan Capitol Confidential. The union is collecting signatures to organize caregivers who care for their loved ones at home.
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3 weeks ago | 
michigancapitolconfidential.com | Jamie A. Hope
The Democratic-controlled Senate’s spending plan for higher education in the 2026 state budget includes financial penalties for universities whose charter schools have blighted buildings. When a public charter school gets its authorization (charter) from a public university, the university is able to collect up to 3% of the money state taxpayers send to the school for each student.
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4 weeks ago | 
michigancapitolconfidential.com | Jamie A. Hope
Residents of Green Charter Township would find some relief from the township’s legal bills if Michigan lawmakers approve an earmark request in the next state budget. Township officials face a lawsuit from Gotion, a Chinese company that alleges a breach of contract. Gotion, which has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party, manufactures electric battery components and plans to construct a plant in the township, which local officials approved.
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1 month ago | 
michigancapitolconfidential.com | Jamie A. Hope
Don’t forget to honor Michigan’s fallen soldiers on Memorial Day. While the weekend is now celebrated as the kickoff to summer, it is important to remember why the nation has a three-day weekend: to honor our fallen soldiers. Michigan Capitol Confidential calls on readers to honor the heroes who gave their lives to protect our freedoms. It is important to not just honor friends and family who may have paid the ultimate sacrifice, but also to remember those we may not have known.
