From left to right: Russ McNamara, Rep. Kristin Grant, and Rep. Nancy Jenkins-Arno

At the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference, over 30 legislators and other policymakers joined various Michigan media hosts to discuss topics of the day on the new “Live From Mackinac Brought to You by DTE Energy” stage.

Every session is available to view on the Chamber’s website.

• May 27: Features Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, Glengariff Group’s Richard Czuba, Sen. Mark Huizenga, and others.
  
  
• May 28: Features Attorney General Dana Nessel, Rep. Bryan Posthumus, House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri, Rep. Bill G. Schuette, and others.
  
  
• May 29: Features Sen. Sarah Anthony, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, DTE Energy’s Jerry Norcia, Rep. Greg VanWoerkom, and others.

Pictured: Brad Williams

The Chamber recently announced the departure of Brad Williams, Vice President of Political Affairs, congratulating him on his new role with the Clark Hill Public Strategies government relations team.

Williams has been with the Chamber for nearly two decades and has been instrumental in shaping one of the state’s most robust business advocacy programs and teams. 

“My time at the Chamber shaped my career in ways I never would have expected 17 years ago. I appreciate each day that I was trusted to advocate on behalf of our members, and the regional and statewide business community; we accomplished big things together,” says Williams.

House Speaker Matt Hall exhibited a renewed commitment to getting an education budget passed by July 1 during a recent press conference. Read more.

Amid trade negotiations between the United States and Canada, Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research recently hosted a panel highlighting the economic risks facing the Detroit-Windsor Region. Read more.

The House will not hold session this week as most of the Republican caucus is in Washington, D.C. to further discuss Michigan priorities, including the Selfridge Air National Guard Base, the future of Line 5, infrastructure investments, and the Brandon Road invasive-species barrier project. Read more.

Michigan’s seasonally adjusted jobless rate edged down to 5.4% during the month of May, while the Michigan Retailers Association reported reduced sales but increased optimism among members moving forward. Read more.

Access to opioid addiction and overdose treatment would expand under a nine-bill package. The legislation would make it easier to get medication-assisted treatment and distribute Narcan more widely through schools, health care providers, and pharmacies. Read more.

At the 2025 Mackinac Policy Conference, Rep. Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland) announced that he is working on a Rules Report, a review of rules and licensing in Michigan. As part of the partnership between the Chamber and the Michigan House Republicans, the Chamber is requesting your input on a significant regulatory reform package. 

Michigan businesses are burdened by bureaucratic “red tape,” either through excessive paperwork, unnecessary certifications, or other various hoops that slow down the economy. The way Michigan does business is significantly slower than that of surrounding states, and it is costing the state growth opportunities.  

The Chamber is seeking your feedback on the “red tape” you encounter daily that needs to be eliminated or reformed. For example, is there a form that is redundant with another form? Do you have to report the exact same information to multiple departments? Do you have to pay a fee for unnecessary certifications? 

Any difficulties your business encounters along the way that can be improved upon are up for consideration.