Your electric bill is about to go up again, and it’ll probably go up again soon after that. 

That’s because of a system in Michigan that critics say is broken, with regulators signing off on continuous rate increases while customers have no alternative.

Today, ’Gander Political Correspondent Kyle Kaminski has the details on how utilities are pulling off these revolving rate hikes, and what legislators could do to slow them down.

Plus: this state rep. wants Michiganders to ask hard questions about data centers.

Lawmakers make moves on budget (Michigan Advance): Michigan lawmakers are advancing early steps in the state’s 2026-27 budget, with Senate and House committees moving spending plans for higher education and several key departments. While proposals are taking shape, major decisions, including K-12 school funding, are still pending in what’s expected to be a contentious budget process.

Whitmer signs executive order to stabilize fuel supply (MLive): Gov. Gretchen Whitmer issued an emergency order this week to ease fuel transport regulations amid Northern Michigan flooding, aiming to prevent supply disruptions as key delivery routes are impacted. The move comes as delays at the Cheboygan fuel terminal force longer hauls for drivers supporting emergency response and recovery efforts.

More than 1.5 million convictions cleared under Michigan ‘clean slate’ law (Bridge Michigan): Michigan has automatically cleared nearly 1.6 million criminal convictions since 2023 under its clean slate law, helping many residents get a fresh start. Advocates say the bipartisan policy is reducing long-term barriers from old convictions, though some limitations and data gaps remain.

(The ‘Gander TikTok)

Consumers Energy is one of the most profitable corporations in Michigan, and starting next month, they’re going to be charging you more money—again.

That’s because last month, state regulators approved a $276 million rate hike for Consumers Energy. The biggest increase in more than 20 years. And before that approval was even a week old, Consumers turned around and announced they’re coming back for more, filing notice that they plan to ask for another multi-hundred-million-dollar rate increase in June.

Here’s the deal: Consumers Energy is a monopoly. If you’re one of their two million electric customers in Lower Michigan, you don’t get to shop around. You don’t get to switch providers. You pay what they charge, and they know it. And every time they want to raise your bill, they have to go to a state agency called the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) and make their case. Under state law, utilities can only file one rate hike request every 12 months. So like clockwork, Consumers files on the very first day they’re legally allowed to ask for one. The rate increase that just got approved adds about $6.46 a month to the typical electrical bill for a residential customer. That hits May 1, and before most people even notice it on their bill, Consumers will already be back in front of our state regulators asking for even more.

Nessel has had enough. When Consumers filed notice of their latest ask, seven days after the last approval, Nessel issued a statement calling the request “relentless and unsustainable” and vowing to scrutinize every penny of the upcoming filing. And it’s not just Consumers. DTE also filed a notice of another utility rate hike request five days after their last one was approved.

So what? State lawmakers are sitting on legislation. The Michigan Ratepayer Bill of Rights, that would limit investor profits, set stronger reliability standards, and tighten rules for these constant rate increases. A bill to extend the window between right hikes has also been introduced, but it hasn’t yet moved past a committee in Lansing. And with utility companies already signaling another massive increase this summer, the window to get ahead of this is closing fast. US Senate and gubernatorial candidates are starting to put reform on the table, too. But for now, Michigan families still don’t get a vote on any of this.

Get the full story in this edition of “so what, Michigan?“

Dozens of data center projects are unfolding across Michigan. And one Macomb County lawmaker wants her constituents to have a seat at the table. (Michigan House Democrats via Facebook)

By Kyle Kaminski

State Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mt. Clemens) has emerged as one of Lansing’s loudest voices on energy affordability. Now she wants to hear from the people paying the bills.

Mentzer, who represents Michigan’s 61st House District, is hosting a free public town hall from 1-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 18 at Macomb Community College’s Center Campus, Lecture Hall A. 

The event is set to feature experts explaining what data centers are, how they work, and what questions residents should be asking as the industry expands across Michigan.

“Data centers have become a growing topic of conversation in our community, and my office wants to make sure residents have access to accurate, unbiased information,” Mentzer said in a statement announcing the event on Facebook. “This is an opportunity to hear from experts, ask questions, and make your voice heard.”

By Abby Deatrick

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

📅 Friday (April 17)

Indivisible on the Lakeshore: Resist and Persist at the World’s Largest Weathervane (Montague, 12 p.m.) — A protest against authoritarianism.

NE Oakland Indivisible: Protest Music In The Park – Oxford, (Oxford, 4 p.m.) — Join in singing protest songs.

📅 Saturday (April 18)

Equality Michigan: Canvass for Equality, (Lansing, 11 a.m.) — Receive training, then knock doors to talk to voters about equality to turn pride into voter turnout.

Michigan LCV: Oakland County Earth Day, (Royal Oak, 4 p.m.) — A family-friendly community celebration of climate action and sustainability, bringing together environmental organizations, local leaders, small businesses, and community members. The event will feature a rally, march, and community fair focused on climate action and environmental justice. Find volunteer opportunities here.

📅 Sunday (April 19)

Indivisible: Postcards to Swing States, (Grand Haven, 10:30 a.m.) — Write postcards to voters in Michigan Senate District 35 to vote in the special election on May 5. Please bring your postcard stamps, Indivisible will provide the rest.

VoteVets: Veterans Happy Hour with Rep Joe Tate, (Detroit, 7 p.m.)
 — Michigan Veterans and military families are invited to get involved politically, with a Detroit happy hour event after the State Convention featuring Rep. Joe Tate to connect, discuss key issues, and support veteran-led organizing.

📣 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.

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

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