While grocery prices climb for everyday Michiganders, new records show lobbyists are picking up plenty of tabs for state lawmakers, spending a record amount last year.

Today, The ’Gander’s Kyle Kaminski follows the money to break down who’s getting wined and dined, and why you should care.

Plus: A look at eight Michigan ties in the Epstein files.

Whitmer tackles literacy, housing, in final State of the State (Bridge Michigan): Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used her final State of the State address to call for bipartisan action on literacy, affordable housing and medical debt relief, while reflecting on her tenure and urging lawmakers to “turn the temperature down” on partisan fighting.

Michigan GOP leader proposes luxury service tax (Michigan Advance): Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall is preparing to pair his proposed $5 billion annual property tax relief plan with a new 6% sales tax on certain luxury services, aiming to offset revenue losses as lawmakers head into a contentious 2026–27 budget cycle.

Michigan Senate committee hears mobile ID bill (WEMU): Michigan lawmakers are considering legislation that would allow residents to use digital IDs stored on their phones for purposes like age verification, though physical IDs would still be required for voting and driving.

(The ’Gander TikTok)

You know who’s definitely not worried about rising grocery prices in Michigan? Some of our state lawmakers. That’s because lobbyists keep buying their meals.

We’re talking steak dinners, bar tabs, and working lunches that add up fast. In fact, new reports show that lobbyists spent a record-breaking amount of cash on wining and dining Michigan officials last year. And when you look at who’s getting the most, a pattern emerges.

Here’s the deal: According to new reporting from Bridge Michigan, lobbyists have spent more than $485,000 on food and drinks for Michigan officials in 2025. That includes over $180,000 on meals with individual lawmakers alone. The highest total ever recorded.

Now, let’s talk about who’s eating. The lawmaker who received the most free meals last year was Republican state Rep. Joseph Aragona, with $12,508 in lobbyist-funded food and drinks. That’s about $34 a day if someone bought him lunch every single day of the year.

So what? When lobbyists are spending record amounts to wine and dine our state lawmakers, it’s not about generosity. It’s about access. Because in politics, nobody buys you lunch to be nice.

And when the same lawmakers writing the laws are also collecting thousands of dollars and perks from the people trying to influence those laws, regular Michiganders deserve to know, especially when most of us are paying for our own meals and our own groceries.

Political correspondent Kyle Kaminski has more details in this edition of “so what, Michigan?“

From a summer arts camp in Interlochen to stalled real estate deals in Detroit, new Department of Justice records reveal just how far Jeffrey Epstein’s reach extended into Michigan. (Photo illustration/The ’Gander)

By Kyle Kaminski

The latest batch of federal records tied to pedophile Jeffrey Epstein is sprawling, messy, and disturbing. And Michigan shows up in the files more than you might expect.

From a Northern Michigan arts camp to downtown Detroit and the University of Michigan, Epstein’s orbit intersects with the state in ways that are documented, verifiable, and sometimes surprising. Here’s what we know, based on what reporters have uncovered in the files so far.

By Abby Deatrick

Welcome to your weekly roundup of Michigan political events, protests, rallies, advocacy opportunities, and ways to take action statewide.

📅 Friday (Feb. 27)

Invest in MI Kids: Red for Ed Weeks of Action (statewide, Feb. 14-28) — Statewide volunteer opportunities are taking place over the next two weeks to support the Invest in MI Kids ballot initiative.

UpNorth Advocacy: Michigan 1st Congressional District Candidate Forum (Sault Ste Marie, 6-8 p.m.) — A forum to meet and hear from the candidates running for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District.

📅 Saturday (Feb. 28)

Indivisible Newaygo County: Know Your Rights: Voters, Protestors, Immigrants, and Due Process (Grant, 11 a.m.-12 p.m.) — A training on protests, democracy, and voting rights.

Manistee County Democratic Party: Local Democracy Forum (Manistee, 1-3 p.m.) — A panel discussion with locally elected officials sharing insights into their responsibilities and how they aim to effectively engage with state and federal-level representatives. Candidates for state house, state senate, and US Congress have also been invited to attend and engage in the discussion.

Michigan United: Michiganders for Money Out of Politics: Community, Culture & Lower Utilities (Detroit, 2-4 p.m.) — A gathering to enjoy Rice & Wings while exploring ways communities can advocate for transparency, fairness, and lower utility rates.

📅 Sunday (March 1)

Indivisible: ICE OUT-Community Weekly Vigil (Saugatuck, 5:30-6:30 p.m.)
 — A community-led ICE Out vigil for reflection and collective care.

Michigan United Action: Money Out of Politics Orientation (virtual, 6:30-8 p.m.) — Learn about the ballot initiative to get money out of politics and how you can get involved.

📅 Monday (March 2)

NE Oakland Indivisible: The Real Threat to Social Security (Lake Orion, 6-6:30 p.m.) — Hear from Jaymie Petronzi, a retired employee of Social Security.

📅 Tuesday (March 3)

Equality Michigan: Phone Bank for Equality (Traverse City, 5:30-7 p.m.) — Receive training before contacting voters in Michigan to identify and mobilize voters in support of equality and inclusion.

Michigan Education Justice Coalition: How to Tell Your Story for Education Justice (virtual, 6:30-8 p.m.) — A training on how to tell your story effectively to inspire others to take action for education justice.

📅 Wednesday (March 4)

Red, Wine, & Blue: Main Street Mix & Mingle (Mount Clemens, 3-5 p.m.) — A community gathering to connect with like-minded individuals and learn more about learn how you can get locally.

Michigan United Action: Money Out of Politics Orientation (virtual, 6:30-8 p.m.) — Learn about the ballot initiative to get money out of politics and how you can get involved.

📅 Thursday (March 5)

Indivisible: Clarkston PerSisters Rally for Democracy (Independence Township, 3:30-5 p.m.) — A rally to defend democracy and our Constitution, protect healthcare, Social Security, public education, working families, veterans, LGBTQ+ rights, and immigrants.

Mothering Justice Action Fund: State of the Mama (Detroit, 5-8 p.m.) — A civic engagement event to bring mothers and community members together to reflect, learn, and connect around the issues impacting Michigan families.

📣 Have an event to add? Email Abigail Deatrick, The ’Gander’s state organizing coordinator, with details. Please send submissions at least one week before the event.

📬 Was this forwarded to you? Sign up to get This Week in Michigan Politics in your inbox every week.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with stories from Kyle Kaminski and Abby Deatrick. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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