Michigan State Announces State Legislative Exchange Program
New MILE Program Will Be First of Its Type in the Nation
EAST LANSING, Mich., April 24, 2025 – Last night at the annual Michigan Political Leadership Dinner, Dr. Matt Grossmann, Director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research (IPPSR), announced the formation of the Michigan Legislative Exchange Program (MILE), a first-in-the-nation, state-level approach to building trust across the political aisle. MILE is modeled after the successful American Congressional Exchange, launched in 2018 to advance bipartisanship among members of the U.S. Congress. Building on lessons learned from Congressional exchanges, this program will facilitate district-to-district relationships and understanding among Michigan state lawmakers.
MILE will pair two legislators from opposite political parties to visit each other’s districts, with special emphasis on bringing together districts that differ in areas such as geography, culture, politics, or community demographics.
MILE will strive to dignify these differences, identify common problems across communities, and highlight shared interests and goals.
Itineraries may include, but are not limited to, tours, roundtable conversations, meetings with local civic and community leaders, and shared meals. Experiences like these help legislators better understand the economic, social, political, and cultural makeup of a district. MILE will nurture authentic connections, relationships, and trust across differences.
"We hope that the MILE program will allow legislators to understand better where their colleagues from across the aisle are coming from and understand our differences and commonalities across Michigan." "Dr. Matt Grossmann said in his speech announcing the program's launch. Grossmann continued, "I am proud to announce that our first pairing will be Republican Representative Greg Markkanen from the Western UP and Democratic Representative Brenda Carter from Pontiac. Our second pairing will be Republican Representative John Roth from near Grand Traverse and Democratic Representative Carol Glanville of Grand Rapids."
To launch MILE, IPPSR will work with Jonathan Perman, founder and co-director of the American Congressional Exchange, which is housed at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington.
In addition, Grossmann announced the initial members of the MILE Advisory Board. They are:
- Dave Dulio, Director, Center for Civic Engagement, Oakland Univ.
- Brian Calley, President & CEO, Small Business Association of Michigan; Lt. Governor (2011-18), MI House (2007-2011)
- Paul Hillegonds, Former Speaker of the House (1993-96), MI House (1979-96)
- Donna Lasinski, VP, Michigan Future, Inc.; House Minority Leader (2021-23), MI House (2017-2023)
- Dennis Muchmore, Govt. Relations & Regulatory Advisor, Honigman; former Chief of StaƯ, Gov. Rick Snyder
- Cami Pendell, Senior Director of Strategy, Mackinac Center for Public Policy
- Rachel Richards, Director of Fiscal Policy & Government Relations, Michigan League for Public Policy
- Ken Sikkema, MI House (1987-1989), MI Senate (1999-2006), Majority Senate Leader (2003-06)