Oversight: LEO v. Michigan Workers

Last month, the Michigan House Oversight Committee held a hearing with the Director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. Testimony and questioning exposed how state policies on foreign labor appear to prioritize imported workers over unemployed Michiganders. I pressed the director directly on the numbers: Michigan has roughly 250,000 unemployed Americans alongside 430,000 employed foreigners. Michigan is also a top-10 state for foreign labor while ranking high for adding people to the labor force. I asked whether importing over 400,000 foreign workers harms job opportunities for those 250,000 unemployed residents. The director would not give a straightforward yes or no.

I followed up with a more specific example on STEM fields. Michigan produces about 12,000 STEM graduates each year, many of whom struggle to find STEM jobs. Yet the state has 75,000 foreign STEM workers on H-1B visas filling those roles. I asked again whether this harms hardworking Michigan graduates. The director responded that employers use the legal H-1B process when they identify a need, but still refused to acknowledge any harm to Michigan workers. When I rephrased to confirm he saw no harm to local graduates, the director pivoted to a general desire to create opportunities for everyone in Michigan without directly addressing the imbalance.

This exchange highlights a deeper issue: state agencies appear more focused on facilitating foreign labor inflows than on removing barriers for unemployed and underemployed Michiganders. We have 500,000 adults without a high school diploma who are largely out of the workforce, yet the conversation quickly shifted away from concrete steps to connect those residents to jobs. Government should not displace American workers, especially recent graduates who have invested time and money in their education, through policies that favor foreign labor. Michigan-first means putting our own people first: the unemployed, the underemployed, and the young graduates who call this state home.

My commitment as a member of the Oversight Committee is to demand accountability from LEO and every state department. We must examine how visa programs and labor policies affect Michigan workers and push for reforms that prioritize American citizens and legal residents without expanding bureaucracy. Hardworking families in the 66th District and across our state deserve real opportunity, not polite deflections. If you have experienced these challenges in the job market, please reach out to me.

Vote Record Update

Since my first day in office, I have upheld my promise to regularly share to the public every single vote I have made with an explanation for each one. This is something done by only 8 of 110 Representatives in Michigan. Accountability can only be achieved when there is transparency. Here’s an update on my votes and reasons:

HB 5340 – Management and Budget Act Amendment

PASSED: 77–27 – Voted: YES

This bill amends the Management and Budget Act (1984 PA 431) by adding section 427 to establish new procedural and reporting requirements for certain state budget and management practices.

I voted YES because this addition strengthens fiscal accountability by mandating clearer reporting mechanisms for state departments, ensuring lawmakers and taxpayers have better visibility into how funds are allocated and spent. The language focuses on practical oversight without creating new spending programs or expanding bureaucracy. This supports limited-government principles that prevent waste and protect Michigan families from unchecked bureaucratic spending.

HB 5680 – Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (Commercial Fishing Updates)

PASSED: 98–6 – Voted: YES

This bill amends sections 47328 and 47330 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (1994 PA 451), as added by 1995 PA 57, with substitute (H-1) to update commercial fishing licensing, gear requirements, and operational standards.

I voted YES because the substitute streamlines outdated regulations for commercial fishermen while preserving conservation standards. It reduces administrative burdens on family-operated businesses without weakening resource protections, supporting Michigan’s fishing economy and the hardworking families who rely on sustainable harvesting. This targeted reform balances environmental stewardship with economic freedom.

HB 4702 – State Property Conveyance in Sanilac County

PASSED: 101–3 – Voted: YES

This bill authorizes the state administrative board to convey or transfer specific state-owned property in Sanilac County, prescribing conditions for the transfer and directing the disposition of any revenue generated.

I voted YES because it responsibly divests surplus state land with clear safeguards, preventing the government from holding unneeded property that burdens taxpayers with maintenance costs. Proceeds are properly accounted for and returned to the public. This promotes efficient use of public assets and allows the land to be put to productive private or community use without unnecessary state retention.

HB 4724 – State Property Conveyance in Kent County

PASSED: 101–3 – Voted: YES

This bill authorizes the state administrative board to convey specific state-owned real property in Kent County, prescribing conditions for the conveyance and directing the disposition of revenue from the sale.

I voted YES because it continues the important work of divesting unnecessary state-held property in a transparent manner. The bill sets defined terms for the transfer and ensures revenue returns to the public, reducing the government footprint and supporting local economic development without expanding state authority.

HB 5234 – Michigan Vehicle Code Amendment (Vehicle Titles)

PASSED: 102–2 – Voted: YES

This bill amends section 217c of the Michigan Vehicle Code (1949 PA 300), as amended by 2022 PA 224, with substitute (H-2) to update vehicle title transfer and electronic titling processes.

I voted YES because the H-2 substitute modernizes title procedures, making them more efficient for dealers and owners while maintaining strong safeguards against fraud. The changes facilitate electronic processes and clarify requirements, reducing paperwork delays and administrative costs. This reform supports a functional marketplace for Michigan drivers and businesses without imposing new burdens.

HB 4412 – Mental Health Code (Assisted Outpatient Treatment)

PASSED: 76–28 – Voted: YES

This bill amends multiple sections of the Mental Health Code (1974 PA 258), including 401, 427, 430, 461, 468, 472a, 473, and 475, to expand and clarify assisted outpatient treatment provisions.

I voted YES because these targeted changes improve access to community-based mental health treatment for individuals who need structured support while respecting due process and individual rights. The reforms prioritize care over institutionalization where appropriate, helping families and communities address serious mental illness without unnecessary government expansion.

HB 4413 – Mental Health Code Amendments

PASSED: 81–23 – Voted: YES

This bill amends sections 206a and 429 of the Mental Health Code (1974 PA 258) to update guardianship, treatment planning, and related procedures.

I voted YES because it strengthens safeguards and clarity in mental health guardianship and treatment planning processes. The updates promote accountability while protecting vulnerable individuals, ensuring families have better tools to support loved ones without overreaching state intervention.

HB 4414 – Mental Health Code (New Chapter on Crisis Intervention)

PASSED: 86–18 – Voted: YES

This bill amends the Mental Health Code (1974 PA 258) by adding sections 1021 and a new chapter 10A focused on crisis intervention and stabilization services.

I voted YES because the new chapter expands evidence-based crisis response options, providing alternatives to hospitalization where safe and appropriate. It emphasizes local, community-driven solutions that respect individual liberty and reduce long-term institutional reliance.

HB 5537 – Michigan Penal Code (Kratom Regulation)

PASSED: 56–48 – Voted: YES

This bill amends the Michigan Penal Code (1931 PA 328) by adding section 473a to regulate kratom possession, sale, and distribution.

I voted YES because it establishes a clear regulatory framework rather than an outright ban, balancing public safety with personal responsibility. The language prohibits sales to minors and sets standards for labeling and potency, protecting consumers while allowing adult access under controlled conditions.

HB 5387 – Mozelle Senior or Vulnerable Adult Medical Alert Act Amendment

PASSED: 100–2 – Voted: YES

This bill amends section 2 of the Mozelle senior or vulnerable adult medical alert act (2012 PA 176) to update the definition of “vulnerable adult” and expand eligibility criteria for the medical alert program, including clearer guidelines for enrollment and device activation.

I voted YES because it strengthens protections for seniors and vulnerable adults by refining eligibility and program standards without adding new mandates or costs to taxpayers. The targeted updates ensure the alert system remains effective for those who need it most while keeping government involvement limited and focused on practical safety measures that empower families and communities rather than expanding bureaucracy.

HB 5497 – Mortgage Lending Practices Prohibition Act Amendment

PASSED: 72–29 – Voted: YES (after adopting substitute H-4)

This bill amends the title and sections 1 and 2 of the act to prohibit certain mortgage lending practices (1977 PA 135), with substitute (H-4) clarifying prohibitions on discriminatory or predatory practices by credit granting institutions and updating remedies and penalties.

I voted YES because the H-4 substitute delivers targeted protections against abusive lending practices while preserving legitimate market activity and avoiding overly broad regulations that could restrict credit access. It strengthens safeguards for Michigan homeowners without creating new government agencies or expanding state control, promoting fairness and stability in the housing market through accountable private-sector practices.

HB 5652 – Revised Judicature Act Amendment

PASSED: 64–38 – Voted: YES

This bill amends the Revised Judicature Act of 1961 (1961 PA 236) by adding section 2940a to establish new procedures and standards for certain civil actions involving real property disputes.

I voted YES because it adds clear procedural guardrails to streamline real property litigation, reducing unnecessary delays and costs for Michigan property owners and courts. The reform focuses on efficiency and fairness without expanding judicial power or creating new causes of action, supporting limited government by ensuring disputes are resolved promptly and predictably.

Senate Bill 581 – Recodified Tax Increment Financing Act Amendment

PASSED: 98–2 – Voted: YES (after adopting substitute H-1)

This bill amends section 201 of the Recodified Tax Increment Financing Act (2018 PA 57) with substitute (H-1) to update definitions and procedures for tax increment financing authorities and development plans.

I voted YES because the H-1 substitute modernizes tax increment financing rules to improve transparency and accountability in local economic development projects without authorizing new taxes or expanding government spending authority. It ensures TIF districts remain focused on genuine blight removal and job creation while protecting taxpayers from misuse of captured revenues.