LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – As the Michigan Legislature prepares for the 2026 session, State Representative Karl Bohnak (R–Deerton) says his agenda is centered on issues he believes are critical to the Upper Peninsula’s economy and quality of life.
At the top of that list is legislation involving reciprocating internal combustion engine, or RICE, generators. Bohnak says the generators, built after coal-fired plants were shut down, are threatened by the state’s 2023 climate law.
“First of all, there’s one bit of unfinished business, and that’s the passage through the Senate of our rice generator bills,” Bohnak said.
The bills would allow the generators to continue operating through 2050, something Bohnak argues is essential for both residents and major employers.
“We need reliable, affordable energy, and we also need to keep well-paying jobs up here,” he said, pointing to mining operations such as Cleveland-Cliffs, Eagle Mine, and a developing project in Gogebic County.
Bohnak is also prioritizing healthcare access in the U.P., particularly through interstate licensure agreements that would allow medical professionals to work across state lines.
“Oh, we have interstate compacts that we did get going to share healthcare services with other states, like for instance, Wisconsin,” Bohnak said, noting the potential benefits for rural communities facing staffing shortages.
Road funding has also been a frequent topic among constituents. Bohnak addressed confusion surrounding recent fuel tax changes, explaining that the shift is intended to send more money directly to infrastructure.
“The sales tax on gas, which we were one of the few states that still have a sales tax on gas, will be replaced by an increase in the fuel tax,” he said.
With 2026 also being an election year, Bohnak says lawmakers will continue working through the summer months rather than stepping away to campaign, emphasizing that legislative priorities remain front and center.
