Michigan farmers are getting squeezed right now, and it’s not because of bad weather or bad crops.

After President Donald Trump’s war with Iran triggered the closure of a major global shipping route, fuel and fertilizer costs in Michigan have exploded.

Now, as The ’Gander’s Kyle Kaminski reports, farmers across the state say they’re barely breaking even, and some fear this could push struggling family farms over the edge.

Plus: Clean energy saved Michiganders money—now it’s on the chopping block.

Benson to recuse herself from governor’s race decisions (MLive): Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced a new election “firewall” policy ahead of her 2026 gubernatorial run, saying she will recuse herself from overseeing matters directly tied to the governor’s race. Benson said the policy is meant to avoid conflicts of interest while maintaining her role as the state’s top elections official.

Planned Parenthood asks Whitmer for funds (Michigan Advance): Planned Parenthood of Michigan is asking Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for $5 million in emergency funding to help prevent health center closures after federal funding cuts and policy changes created a major budget shortfall. Whitmer’s office said the Legislature controls most state spending decisions.

Judge blocks stadium funding earmarks (Bridge Michigan): A Michigan judge has temporarily blocked two state-funded baseball stadium renovation grants—one for Jackson Field and another for Jimmy John’s Field—after ruling they may violate the state constitution’s requirements for funding local projects. The lawsuit, brought by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, could have broader implications for how lawmakers approve earmarks in future Michigan state budgets.

(The ‘Gander TikTok)

Michigan has about 44,000 farms. And right now, a lot of them are in serious trouble, not because of bad weather, not because of a bad harvest, but because of a war.

President Donald Trump’s decision to go to war with Iran triggered the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping corridor for a quarter of the world’s oil, and up to 30% of its fertilizer. And Michigan farmers are paying the price.

Here’s the deal: Diesel prices in Michigan have jumped more than 50% since this war began. Fertilizer prices are up nearly as much, and the price farmers can get for their harvest nowadays is barely enough to break even. One Monroe County farmer ran the math on a load of corn he was shipping to Toledo. Last year, he tracked a $250 profit on a 1,000 bushel load. This year, with the same load going for the same price, but with the cost of fertilizer and fuel exploding, he’ll be lucky to break even. He told Bridge Michigan the costs are astronomical. If they climb any higher, Michigan farmers will be losing money on every acre. For some who are already struggling to pay the bills, it simply won’t be sustainable for much longer.

So what? Well, Michigan farmers didn’t start this war. Michigan drivers didn’t vote for us to bomb Iran. Michigan’s small business owners aren’t the ones who decided to close the Strait of Hormuz. But now they’re the ones feeling the effects—at the pump, in the field, and at the grain elevator. Michigan has competitive congressional seats up in 2026, and voters in farm country, in small towns, in every corner of this state are going to remember who supported this war, who stayed quiet, and who actually showed up for them when the bills came due.

The full story is in this edition of “so what, Michigan?”

State Sen. Thomas Albert (R-18th District), left, and Speaker of the House Rep. Matt Hall (R-Richland Township), right, speak with reporters in 2022. (David Eggert/AP Photo)

By Jonny Lupsha

A bill proposed by the Republican-controlled Michigan House of Representatives would likely raise residents’ energy bills and possibly frighten off investors, undoing three years of hard work and tangible gains.

In 2023, under Democrat leadership, Michigan’s state Legislature passed a half-dozen bills to begin a statewide transition to clean, renewable energy and to improve grid reliability, following industry forecasts and jobs data.

As previously reported in a 2024 article for The ‘Gander, those clean energy bills, combined with federal incentives from the Inflation Reduction Act, helped Michiganders save money each month. Reporter Kyle Kaminski told the story of Ann Siegle and her family, of East Lansing, whose electric bills were cut in half by switching to solar power thanks to federal and state legislation passed by the Biden-Harris administration and Michigan’s Democrat-led state government.

And the Siegles weren’t alone.

“More than 117,000 Michigan families have now reportedly benefited from more than $134 million in tax credits to help lower the cost of clean energy and provide energy efficiency upgrades to their homes,” Kaminski wrote.

Yet in March of this year, the State House—now controlled by a Republican majority and led by Speaker of the House Rep. Matt Hall (R-Richland Township)—announced plans to repeal those clean energy laws, which could leave Michiganders with higher utility bills at a time when the cost of living is already rapidly increasing.

Join The ’Gander on May 21 for a FREE livestreamed town hall on protecting kids online, moderated by chief political correspondent Kyle Kaminski.

The discussion will examine how platform design, corporate decisions, and policy gaps are shaping kids’ online experiences—and what parents, advocates, and policymakers are pushing for next.

Featured speakers include state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, Dr. Jenny Radesky of Michigan Medicine, and advocate Charay Gadd.

Join the conversation and learn what meaningful change could look like.

By Abby Deatrick

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

📅 Friday, May 15

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan: Restore & Rise A Planned Parenthood Action Summit (East Lansing, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.) — A community-centered summit focused on moving from burnout to belonging through creativity, care, and civic engagement, with a focus on sexual and reproductive health advocacy.

📅 Saturday, May 16

End Gun Violence MI: Candidate Forum for Governor of Michigan: Safe Communities & Strong Democracy (Detroit, Candidate Forum from 2-4 p.m., followed by the Organization Fair from 4-5 p.m.) — Hear from Michigan gubernatorial candidates on gun violence and democracy.

Coalition to Shut the Camps: Shut the Romulus ICE Detention Center (Romulus, 3-6 p.m.) — Join the effort to stop the ICE detention facility in Romulus.

📅 Monday, May 18

Red Wine & Blue: Self-Care & Solidarity (Rochester Hills, 6-8 p.m.) — Join for an evening of bath salt making and meaningful connection. Supplies will be provided.

📣 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, Jonny Lupsha, and Abby Deatrick. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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