Fellow Michigander,

A national anti-corruption group has just named a Michigan congressman to its 2026 list of the most corrupt politicians in America.

According to the group, long-time West Michigan congressman Bill Huizenga has taken millions in corporate donations while supporting policies that benefit industries like oil, gas, and utilities—and leaving his own constituents behind.

Today, The ’Gander’s Kyle Kaminski has the details on why you should be paying attention, as Huizenga eyes reelection.

Plus: From new housing to blight removal, Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud says the city is using every tool available to “enhance quality of life” for local residents.

Karel Vega

Newsletter Editor, The ’Gander

MI Supreme Court hears arguments on stalled bills (Michigan Advance): Michigan’s Supreme Court is weighing whether House Republicans can block nine bills passed during the Michigan Legislature’s 2023-24 term from ever reaching Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk. House Speaker Matt Hall argued the GOP-controlled House is not required to deliver bills approved under the previous legislature.

Michigan lawmakers eye healthcare bills (Bridge Michigan): Michigan lawmakers are targeting rising healthcare costs with proposals to address medical debt, prescription drug prices, and surprise hospital bills. The bipartisan bills would limit aggressive debt-collection practices, increase scrutiny of hospital drug-savings programs and add-on “facility fees” charged to patients.

Democrat Greene wins Senate special election (The Detroit News): Chedrick Greene won this week’s 35th District special election with about 59% of the vote, defeating Jason Tunney and expanding Democrats’ state Senate majority to 20–18. The victory fills the seat vacated by Kristen McDonald Rivet and gives Democrats added leverage heading into budget talks and the November election.

Michigan’s ‘most corrupt’ politician has some explaining to do

(The ‘Gander TikTok)

Meet Bill Huizenga.

He’s a Republican congressman from West Michigan who’s been in office for 15 years, and there’s something he probably doesn’t want you to know.

A national anti-corruption group called End Citizens United just named him to its 2026 most corrupt politicians list. He’s the only Michigan lawmaker to make the cut this year, and heads up, the details might piss you off.

Here’s the deal: End Citizens United crunched the numbers, and they found that over his career, Huizenga has accepted more than $5.6 million in corporate donations. Last cycle, only about 1% of his campaign contributions came from small individual donors. The rest was corporate money, special interest funding, and PAC money. And he isn’t just taking this cash and keeping quiet. Isaac sits on the House Financial Services Committee, one of the most powerful positions in Congress for shaping Wall Street rules.

Now, let’s talk about why this actually costs Michigan. Huizenga has voted for legislation that directly enriches his friends in the oil and gas industry, while taking thousands from them in campaign contributions. He’s also taken more than $167,000 from the utility companies, raising your electric bills. And he voted for the Big, Beautiful Bill—a tax law that handed its biggest benefits to corporations and the ultra wealthy, while setting the stage for Medicaid cuts that could strip coverage from as many as 350,000 Michiganders.

Here’s where it gets personal: Huizenga is the only member of Michigan’s congressional delegation who refuses to request federal earmarks for local projects in his district. We’re talking about infrastructure, hospitals, and community programs. While every other Michigan lawmaker brought home a piece of community funding that was up for grabs this year, Huizenga took none of it.

So what? Well, Huizenga’s up for reelection this year, in what’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive congressional races in Michigan. His Democratic opponent, state Senator Sean McCann, is already within striking distance in early polling.

Get the full details from Kyle in this edition of “so what, Michigan?”

Watch here →

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud touts $180M redevelopment plan to add 600 homes

Mayor Abdullah Hammoud speaks at Dearborn Development Day. (Courtesy/City of Dearborn)

By Kyle Kaminski

Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud says the city is moving forward with hundreds of millions of dollars in redevelopment projects that are aimed at clearing stubborn blight and creating new places to live in one of Michigan’s tightest housing markets.

Hammoud highlighted the projects last month during the grand opening of the Edsel B. Ford Experience Center, a space used largely for Ford Motor Co. events and employee gatherings.

“Dearborn is the fastest growing city in Michigan and we are a place where all can come and thrive,” Hammoud said in a press release following the event. “We are leveraging every tool and support for projects that serve our community’s needs and enhance quality of life.”

All told, the projects represent a mix of more than $180 million in public investment and private development across the city. Among the biggest-ticket items: adding hundreds of new housing units to a market where fewer than 2% of homes are currently vacant—a shortage that has driven intense competition for real estate and pushed prices higher across Dearborn.

Read more →