Michigan Legislature Moves Slowly in 2026 as Campaign Season Looms and Property Tax Reform Stalls

Historically Slow Start Leaves West Michigan Waiting for Action

LANSING — Michigan's politically divided Legislature is off to another historically slow start, sending Gov. Gretchen Whitmer just seven bills through the first three months of 2026. That is the slowest pace in an even-numbered year this century, according to a review by Bridge Michigan.

With lawmakers expected to leave Lansing this summer to hit the campaign trail ahead of fall elections, experts predict the glacial pace could continue.

"We may, in fact, really not see much movement other than a budget all this year, unless we see a deal on property taxes," said Republican strategist John Sellek, founder and CEO of the Lansing-based Harbor Strategic communications firm.

Property Tax Reform Remains Top Priority

Property tax reform has been high on the to-do list for several lawmakers, including House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township. But he has not yet introduced a plan, and his public comments suggest the forthcoming proposal will be complicated.

The slow start follows a historically slow 2025, when lawmakers passed the fewest bills since the Civil War. Michigan Information and Research Service Inc. reports that Gov. Whitmer signed 76 bills into law in 2025, making it the lowest performing legislative year since 1842.

Nearly half of the new laws — 36 — were signed in December during a year-end flurry.

What Has Been Signed Into Law

As of 2026, five of the seven bills signed into law this year originated in the Republican-led House, where Hall has at times vocally opposed passing legislation from Senate Democrats.

The bills that have passed include:

• Two bills to ban smartphones from public school classrooms, a long-running effort of lawmakers from both major parties
• Two bills dealing with death certificates, streamlining the certification process and requiring certificates be filed within 48 hours of a death
• A bill to renew an interstate medical compact
• A measure allowing Harsens Island in St. Clair County to utilize tax incremental financing for downtown development purposes
• A bill to designate the wood duck as Michigan's first official state duck

Medical Compact Saves Thousands of Doctor Licenses

Among the most significant bills was a measure renewing Michigan's participation in the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. Both chambers wanted to renew, but the legislation stalled for months amid a political debate over which lawmakers would get credit for the achievement.

The compact renewal keeps an estimated 8,000 doctors licenses from expiring in the process.

Senate Democrats Push Forward Despite Opposition

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks of Grand Rapids pointed to laws Democrats passed in 2023 when they were still in charge, including elimination of the so-called retirement tax and expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit for lower-income residents.

But there is "certainly more we can get done" this year, Brinks said, telling Bridge that other top priorities for her caucus include lowering child care costs and prescription drug prices.

"We certainly hope to have willing partners in the House on all those things," she said in a statement.

Budget Process Remains Contentious

The budget process proved contentious last year, the first since Republicans won back the state House to end a short-lived Democratic trifecta. Lawmakers blew past a July 1 budget deadline written into state law and then missed an Oct. 1 deadline mandated by the state Constitution, passing a stopgap spending measure to avoid the first state government shutdown in 16 years.

Hall has defended the minimal lawmaking in Lansing, arguing quality matters more than quantity. In a statement, he told Bridge he is optimistic the Legislature can get a property tax cut deal done this year.

Hall Blocks Government Transparency Proposal

Hall has also personally blocked a top priority for Senate Democrats, who last year advanced a government transparency proposal to expand Michigan's Freedom of Information Act by subjecting the governor and lawmakers to public records requests.

Legislative Spring Break Pauses Action

While lawmakers are off on their legislative spring break this week, both chambers will be back in the Capitol on Tuesday. With campaign season looming, experts predict legislators may not do much more than pass a budget, which is constitutionally required.

What This Means for West Michigan Residents

The legislative stalemate means West Michigan communities are left waiting for decisions on property tax reform, medical debt relief, and other policies that directly impact local budgets and services. Senate Majority Leader Brinks represents Kent County, which includes Grand Rapids, and has made lowering child care costs and prescription drug prices among her top priorities.

The inability to pass property tax reform leaves homeowners in West Michigan without relief on one of the most pressing financial challenges facing families across the state.