Michigan News And Capitol Report, Week Ending Friday, April 3rd, 2026
Administration Instructed To Help Businesses Get Tariff Refunds
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive instructing state agencies to help registered businesses pursue tariff refunds from the federal government and to report on the impacts of those tariffs.
The directive follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision limiting the scope of President Donald Trump's tariffs on foreign goods, which he imposed under the Emergency Economic Powers Act. The decision is expected to result in refunds for businesses that overpaid tariffs. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reported it is between 60% and 85% finished processing those refund claims.
Whitmer said the directive is aimed at both helping businesses recover costs and documenting the broader economic impact of the tariffs.
“This executive directive will show us the damage from these irresponsible tariffs and help get refunds back to Michigan businesses,” Whitmer said. “I’ll continue to call on Congress to set a strategic trade policy that keeps costs down and our economy stable.”
Under the directive, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Department of Transportation and Department of Treasury must submit reports within 30 days detailing how tariffs have affected their respective sectors.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation and other state agencies are also encouraged to review internal data to determine whether tariffs have had an impact on their operations.
The reporting requirement builds on a similar directive Whitmer issued in 2025, which produced agency-level assessments of tariff impacts. Departments may submit updated findings under the new order.
Agencies may request extensions of up to 60 days to complete their reports.
Whitmer Temporarily Eases Regulations For Cheaper Gas
In an attempt to lower gas prices, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order declaring a state of energy emergency in Michigan to loosen requirements on fuel blends and allow for the sale of higher vapor pressure gas.
The executive order suspends the May 1 requirement for lower vapor pressure gas in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Washtenaw, Livingston, Monroe, St. Clair and Lenawee counties. The higher vapor pressure is used in colder months and the lower pressure is used in hotter months, but the higher vapor blend is cheaper at the pump.
"As governor, I can’t end a war overseas or undo bad policies at the federal level that led to higher gas prices, but I will do what I can to try to give families a break. To provide relief, I’m issuing an executive order taking a few actions with one aim: Saving drivers money at the pump,” Whitmer said.
The Environmental Protection Agency issued a temporary waiver of federal vapor pressure requirements to allow for the production, distribution, and sale of different gas blends. Whitmer said the executive order allows the state to take advantage of the waiver.
In March and April, refineries start producing the summer blends of gas, which are higher priced, but are more energy efficient for the season. Winter blends are easier for cars to start because of the higher vapor pressure, but less environmentally friendly. May 1 is the deadline for gas stations and wholesalers to have the winter blend removed from their systems.
According to the governor’s office, the difference in price would be 10 to 20 cents cheaper.
The price of crude oil per barrel was trading at more than $110 on Thursday, an increase of more than 10% over yesterday.
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has disrupted the oil market and has caused the rise of oil across the world.
The average price of gas was $3.89 in Michigan, according to AAA, while the national average was $4.08.
According to analysis by GasBuddy, gas in Detroit topped $5.28 in the summer of 2022. It was also $1.40 in Detroit during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic closures in April 2020.
The Executive Order was praised by state Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd), who sent a letter earlier last week to Whitmer asking to implement the EPA waiver to allow the state to continue to sell E15 fuel, made from corn ethanol.
“Michigan families and businesses needed relief, and I’m glad to see action taken to expand access to lower-cost fuel options. This is exactly the kind of step that helps people keep more money in their pockets,” Neyer said.
Corn growers also praised the order. Michigan Corn Growers Association President John Delmotte thanked Whitmer for the order and Neyer for sending the letter.
“The decision will benefit Michigan’s drivers by giving them access to cheaper options at the pump and benefit farmers by allowing us to use more ethanol made from Michigan-grown corn in our fuel supply,” Delmotte said.
Not all vehicles can use E15 gas. It can’t be used in vehicles manufactured before 2001, can’t be used in motorcycles, boats, off-road vehicles or small engines.
It also can’t be used in heavy-duty, non-diesel engines.
MEDC Approves $2.8M In Grants For 50 Residential Units In 2 Cities
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) approved $2.8 million in revitalization and placemaking (RAP) grants to help build 50 housing units in Grand Rapids and Saline.
A four-story, 45-unit housing building and 1.3-acre community space in Grand Rapids would get a $1.3 million grant for the more than $25.5 million development.
“This investment means more housing, more room for local small businesses and more welcoming public spaces – strengthening the fabric of the Boston Square community, fostering long-term opportunity and ensuring more families put down roots, connect and thrive right here in Grand Rapids,” Sen. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) said.
Saline would see a three-story historic building get a $1.5 million grant for a nearly $7.5 million development that would create five housing units in a mixed-use space.
“Our population is growing and we’ve been ranked a top state for opportunity and doing business. Programs like RAP help us build on this progress, attract and retain talented workers, lower costs, build housing, and enrich our communities,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.
Troy Pays $575K In Legal Fees In Suit Challenging Unlawful Permit Fees
The city of Troy has paid $575,000 in legal fees related to the Home Builders Association of Michigan’s (HBAM) 15-year legal challenge over allegedly inflated housing-related permit fees.
Oakland County Circuit Court records show Troy satisfied the judgment Monday.
“This is a massive win for housing affordability and transparency in what local governments charge for housing-related permit fees,” said Bob Filka, CEO of the HBAM. “Permit fees are intended to cover the cost of administering and enforcing the Michigan Residential Code, not to serve as a hidden profit center for local governments.”
The litigation, which began in 2010, centered on the privatization of a municipal building department through a “turnkey” contract with SafeBuilt of Michigan, which would receive 75% to 80% of the building department fees.
The case reached the Michigan Supreme Court, which held the arrangement violated the state’s Construction Code Act, Filka said.
As a result, the city canceled its SafeBuilt contract and returned to an in-house building department.
Filka said the city then tried to inflate its overhead by allocating costs from unrelated departments.
In 2024, the Michigan Court of Appeals held that this funding scheme violated the CCA and the Headlee Amendment.