Dear Neighbor,
If you stay in touch with my team and me, you know I like to keep folks informed about what’s going on in the budget process. As Appropriations Chair, I am the principal negotiator for the state Senate in our budget negotiations. And let me just say — this year has been anything but normal. Under Speaker Hall’s leadership in the House, we have seen systematic chaos and dysfunction since the beginning, putting our state in a dangerous position.
Today I write to you with less than 20 days until September 30th, the end of the fiscal year and our official deadline to set the state’s budget. Although the Senate passed our budget recommendations out of the chamber back in May, the House Republicans did not pass their budgets until August 26th, leaving us little time to negotiate. What’s more, they have failed to come to the table in a serious way. When you look at the content of their budget bills, you will see dangerous cuts across the board to essential government services that Michiganders rely on each and every day — from Medicaid and health care services to essential student supports like free school meals, mental health support, career technical education, and so much more.
In this e-newsletter, I’ll break down each section of the House Republicans’ budget proposal and the danger it poses for Michigan.
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 connect with my office. 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
- House Republicans are proposing detrimental and reckless cuts in their state budget proposal. Continue reading to find out what programs are at risk, what these cuts could mean for Michigan families, schools, and communities, and how Senate Democrats are fighting for a responsible budget that prioritizes the well-being of the people.
- Join me for my upcoming Town Hall on Monday, September 15, at 6:00 p.m. at the Ingham County Fairgrounds Banquet Hall (700 E. Ash St., Mason, MI 48854).
- Thank you to our state employees who work tirelessly every day to keep Michigan running and ensure our residents have the tools, resources, and support they need.
What’s the Deal with the House Republican Budget Proposal?
From the start, my Senate Democrat colleagues and I have stuck to the traditional state budget schedule: meeting with stakeholders to identify their needs, crafting a comprehensive proposal, passing it through the chamber in May, and coming to the table ready to negotiate a fair and timely compromise ahead of the July 1 deadline.
House Republicans, on the other hand, chose a reckless approach marked by delays, budgeting gimmicks, and political gamesmanship. They waited to pass their education budget until mere days before the statutory deadline — then introduced an 800-plus page omnibus budget a month before the new fiscal year, ramming it through their chamber just minutes later with zero public input.
Since the start of this legislative term, Speaker Hall has failed to step up and act as a serious partner. Instead of coming to the table to negotiate a budget in good faith, he and his Republican colleagues have chosen to manufacture a crisis in attempts to push through an extreme agenda, putting politics and petty vendettas over the people we’re entrusted to serve.
Budgets are about values, and the values reflected in the House Republican proposal are dangerous and destructive. I will always fight for a fair compromise, but I will never sign off on a plan that does so at the expense of hardworking Michiganders.
Setting the Record Straight
The House Republicans’ proposal is a far cry from a fiscally responsible budget. Instead of investing in education, public safety, and economic development, their proposal mirrors the same extremist playbook the Trump administration is running in Washington: slash, burn, and blame in an irresponsible attempt to appear as if they’re weeding out “fraud, waste, and abuse” in state government.
The truth is, House Republicans are making big claims about their budget, but many of those claims don’t hold up. Here’s what’s really going on:
- The House says they’ve rooted out $5 billion in “waste.” In reality, that money comes from Medicaid matching dollars — funds that support health care for Michigan families. Instead of investing them in care, the House shifts them to a contingency fund. This bookkeeping trick lets them pretend they’re not cutting Medicaid, when they actually are.
- The House argues they’ve eliminated “phantom employees.” What they’re really doing is misrepresenting how state staffing works. State departments budget using “FTEs” (full-time equivalents), which account for hours worked across full-time, part-time, and contract staff. By treating every FTE like a single, full-time salary, the House inflates numbers to justify cuts that don’t add up.
- House Republicans point to two IT projects — Judicial Case Management and MiSACWIS — as examples of failure. What they don’t mention is that both projects were approved under Republican majorities. The Judicial Case Management System, in particular, is designed to modernize court records and improve efficiency, not waste taxpayer dollars.
- The House claims they’ve “fixed” errors in food assistance and shaved $333 million from the budget. In truth, they just shifted the money into a contingency account, creating the illusion of savings, and the federal error rate provisions they cite won’t even take effect until 2028. In the meantime, the cuts risk reducing food assistance for families who need it most.
My Democratic colleagues and I are doing everything in our power to keep Michigan open and avoid a government shutdown. Unfortunately, House Republicans have delayed the negotiation process and put forward a budget that undermines working families instead of supporting them. We’ll continue fighting for a responsible, balanced budget that reflects the values of our state — not gimmicks and cuts that hurt the people we serve.
If you’d like to hear more, I recently hosted a media roundtable to set the record straight on the House budget; you can read more about it here, or watch highlights from the conversation here.
How the House Republican Budget Proposal Would Impact Health Care in Michigan
The House Republicans’ budget proposes drastic cuts to vital health and human services Michiganders depend on, including $5 billion from Medicaid, as well as cuts to maternal health, family food assistance programs, supportive housing, water affordability, mental health services, support for people experiencing homelessness, and so much more. These cuts threaten the health and well-being of over 3 million Michiganders.
House Republicans Threaten Cuts to Public and Community Safety
While my Democratic colleagues in the Senate and I have crafted a fiscally responsible budget that delivers crucial funding for fire, EMS, and other critical support systems, House Republicans have proposed a plan that would defund police and weaken public safety. Their budget includes a $128 million cut to the Michigan State Police — eliminating 400 staff positions and slashing training programs, community safety initiatives, and the resources troopers need to keep our communities safe. By contrast, the Senate-passed budget invests in people and communities by creating the Community Aid for Responders and Emergency Services (CARES) fund and dedicating over $100 million for flexible public safety needs. Our Senate proposal also included $25 million in dedicated funding for community violence intervention programs, because we show up for our young people every step of the way.
House Republicans are Setting Michigan Communities Up for Failure
The differences between the House and Senate budget proposals couldn’t be clearer. While the House makes harmful cuts to services families rely on, the Senate budget makes big, targeted investments to strengthen communities across Michigan.
One of the most important areas is revenue sharing — the way your state tax dollars are reinvested back into your local community. These funds help pay for essential services that make everyday life possible, such as schools, police, and fire departments. The Senate’s budget ensures every community gets the support it needs, not just a select few. That means stronger neighborhoods, safer streets, and better opportunities for families across the state.
We’ve made real progress in making sure taxpayer dollars go where they belong: back to you, your family, and your community. Take a look at the graphics below to see a side-by-side comparison of what the House cuts versus Senate investments would mean for just a few of our local communities
House Republicans are Hurting Our Students and Their Futures
We have a responsibility to make sure every child in Michigan has access to a quality education, and that means giving schools the resources they need to help students succeed. Just this week I had the opportunity to meet directly with local superintendents and school leaders from Ingham ISD, Eaton RESA, Holt Public Schools, Waverly Community Schools, and Mason Public Schools. We’re fighting to protect funding for at-risk students, school meals, and educator supports, because these are the foundations that help kids learn and thrive. The truth is, schools can’t afford to miss their state payments, and we can’t afford to shortchange our students’ future.
Because the House failed to pass a budget proposal before the July 1 statutory deadline, schools across Michigan have been forced to begin the new school year without knowing how much funding they’ll have for the year. This leaves students, parents, and teachers in limbo — facing the possibility of program cuts and immense uncertainty hanging over classrooms. Instead of giving schools stability and predictability, the House’s inaction has created unnecessary stress at a time when our focus should be on helping kids learn and thrive.
House Republicans Endanger Michigan’s Great Lakes, Waterways, and Natural Resources
Every Michigander deserves clean, affordable water and strong protections for our Great Lakes. The Senate budget invests in water infrastructure, helping communities replace aging pipes and improve drinking water and stormwater management systems. Over the years, we’ve supported countless local projects with this funding, including key investments I secured to help cover the costs of much-needed infrastructure improvements in Grand Ledge, Dimondale, Potterville, and Vermontville. We’re continuing to push for additional state dollars to address water affordability — an issue impacting families across Michigan, from big cities and suburban towns to our rural communities.
The House, on the other hand, has proposed slashing $200 million — almost 20% — of the Dept. of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s budget. Their plan eliminates millions from water quality programs, weakens Michigan’s PFAS standards, and even cuts funding from the Drinking Water and Environmental Health Division. These reckless choices mean fewer protections, fewer staff to monitor pollution, and greater risk to public health.
The Senate also recognizes the need to protect Michigan’s outdoor heritage. Through updates to hunting, fishing, and boating fees, we can stabilize conservation funding at a time when inflation and declining participation threaten future parks, habitats, and fisheries. By contrast, House Republicans’ budget would put Michigan’s wildlife, public lands, and outdoor traditions in jeopardy.
What Happens Now?
No more games. No more stalling. And no more pretending these cuts are actually helping anyone. The House Republican budget puts Michigan families directly in harm’s way. I won’t stand idly by and let that happen. I’ll keep fighting each day until a responsible, balanced budget deal is made.
You can hear more of my thoughts on the House Republicans’ budget proposal here, and learn more about the differences between the two proposals here.
State Employees — Thank You!
Thank you to our state employees who work tirelessly every day to keep Michigan running and ensure our residents have the tools, resources, and support they need.
I know many of you are feeling uncertainty — and frustration — over the stalled budget negotiations and the attacks from House Republicans. I share your concerns, and Senate Democrats are working around the clock to deliver a state budget that supports you and the vital work you do for Michigan families.
Know, you are not alone. If you or someone you know would like to share feedback about what’s happening in Lansing, or if you need assistance of any kind, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office.
It is one of my top goals as your State Senator to have myself and my office be as accessible to you as possible. To share your thoughts on legislation or seek assistance with an issue, please join me at one of our upcoming district events:
Tonight, Community Town Hall with Rep. Julie Brixie
WHEN: Monday, September 15, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
WHERE: Ingham County Fairgrounds Banquet Hall, 700 E Ash St., Mason, MI 48854
During the Town Hall today, State Rep. Julie Brixie other local leaders will join me for an update on the state budget and a discussion on the ugly impact of Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill on programs such as Medicaid and SNAP.