💰Sarah’s State Budget Breakdown

Dear Friend,  

The state budget affects just about every aspect of daily life — from the roads we drive on and the schools our kids attend to the water we drink and the local communities we call home. Much more than simply numbers on a page, the budget is about people — ensuring our students, families, workers, and all others across the state can access the support they need to live a quality life here in Michigan.  

As the Senate’s lead budget negotiator for the fourth year in a row, I’m excited to share that my Senate Democratic colleagues and I passed our 2027 state budget proposal just last week, advancing a plan to cut costs, calm the federal chaos, and grow an economy that works for everyone. And as always, our recommendations were crafted from thoughtful conversations with community partners, colleagues, and Michiganders — like you! — in mind and at the table.   

Read on to take a closer look at our proposal, and, in case you missed it, watch my speech from the Senate floor below to learn more about the meaning behind the numbers. 

If you or someone you know would like to provide any feedback about what’s happening in Lansing, or if you need assistance of any sort, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact me by sending an email to SenSAnthony@senate.michigan.gov or by calling (517) 373-6960.   

In service, 

Sarah Anthony 
State Senator 
District 21 

From the gas pump to the grocery store, Michiganders are feeling the pinch of high prices just about everywhere they go. That’s why, first and foremost, our budget seeks to drive down costs and make life more affordable for people statewide. We’re doing that by:  

• Funding Programs that Work: Continued investments for the widely popular free school meals program that saves families about $1,000 a year; tax credits for seniors and working families, helping them keep more of their hard-earned money; and Rx Kids, ensuring moms and babies across Michigan get the support they need during their most vulnerable time of life. 
• Tackling the Costs of Everyday Essentials: Intentional steps to lower the cost of prescription medications, the ever-increasing rate of utilities, and rising car insurance premiums facing Michigan drivers. 
• Securing Relief for Workers: Wage increases for direct care workers, bonuses for educators, and better benefits for corrections officers. 
• Keeping Michiganders Housed: Support for eviction prevention; home repairs and weatherization projects to keep energy bills down; and downpayment assistance for first-generation homebuyers. 

While the cruel policies and reckless actions of the Trump administration sow confusion and chaos here in Michigan and across the nation, our 2027 budget proposal works to secure the relief and stability Michiganders deserve by:  

• Protecting Access to Health Care & Food Benefits: Support for Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in the wake of federal cuts and changes, ensuring families can access quality health care and vital food benefits.
• Supporting Michigan Farmers & Agriculture Community: Cuts to red tape and expanding opportunities for Michigan farmers and local food companies, helping offset the harm caused by short-sighted federal tariffs. 
• Delivering Relief to Schools: Reimbursements to schools for rising diesel costs fueled by the war with Iran.

Building off our previous budget where we closed outdated loopholes that allowed Michigan’s largest, most profitable corporations to avoid paying their fair share, Senate Dems’ budget plan for next year continues to strengthen Michigan’s economy by: 

• Investing in Our Students & Future Workers: Record funding for schools, ensuring students get the support they need to succeed in and out of the classroom from an early age. Plus, additional funds for scholarship programs to prepare Michiganders with the skills they need for the job they want. Read more about our education plan here. 
• Securing Relief for Childcare Providers: Creation of a childcare payment fund to support qualified childcare providers, helping combat the state’s childcare shortage head-on. 
• Growing Small Businesses: Support for Community Development Financial Institutions to improve access to resources for working people, entrepreneurs, and small business development. 
• Building Strong Communities: Creation of a new fund to protect revenue sharing resources, ensuring local units of government have a steady, sustainable stream of dollars they can rely on year-to-year to provide quality, needed resources to their communities. 

From consumers and constituents to elected officials, transparency and accountability is good for all, which is my colleagues and I wove these values into our budget plan by:

• Fighting for Fair Pricing for Michigan Consumers: Measures to ensure your voice is heard in utility rate cases and support for the Attorney General’s Office to take on the exploitive practices of big business. 
• Upholding Fair & Free Elections: Investments in long-overdue, modernized voting equipment, ensuring your voices and votes are heard and counted. 
• Shining a Light on State Government: Funds to expand the Freedom of Information Act to the Michigan Legislature and governor’s office, building on bills we passed with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate well over a year ago that remain stalled in the Republican-led House.

For the fourth year in a row, Senate Dems have passed our budget proposal before July 1, the deadline for sending the final version of the budget to the governor for her signature. While House Republicans dragged out the process well beyond the July 1 deadline last year, leaving schools, nonprofits, and communities in the dark, I’m glad to see that they’ve changed course this year by passing their version of the budget late last month.  

Now, it’s time to resolve the differences. And just as I have each year prior, I remain at the table, ready to negotiate a final state budget that puts the needs of Michiganders first. Stay tuned for another newsletter on any advancements, and I encourage you to follow along on my social media pages, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, for more frequent updates.  

Want to read more about the budget process? Click here.