LANSING, Mich. (April 16, 2026) — Today, the Senate Appropriations Committee, chaired by Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), passed the first round of appropriations bills for several state departments, keeping Senate Dems on track to deliver a 2027 state budget on time that addresses the needs of Michigan families and communities. Upon committee passage of these budget bills today, Sen. Anthony issued the following statement:
“Senate Dems are ready to take on any challenges to deliver another meaningful budget on time that invests in our people, programs, and all the places we call home here in Michigan. Today’s passage of the first slate of budget bills shows we are on track to do exactly that — just as we have in the previous three years.
“With everyday costs at an all-time high and federal decisions continuing to wreak havoc on residents statewide, Michiganders are counting on us to craft a state budget that cuts through the chaos and provides the real relief they deserve. From expanding access to scholarship programs, protecting our cherished natural resources, and taking steps to lower auto insurance and utility costs for Michiganders, we’ve taken a solid first step today — but we’ve got more work to do. As we continue to buckle down in the days ahead on solutions to lower costs and safeguard residents, Senate Democrats remain ready to negotiate a balanced, bipartisan budget that puts the people of Michigan first — and I hope House Republicans will do the same.”
Bills passed out of the Senate Appropriations Committee today set the 2027 fiscal year state budgets for the departments of Agriculture and Rural Development; Natural Resources; Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; Transportation; Licensing and Regulatory Affairs; Insurance and Financial Services; those overseeing universities and community colleges, and the Natural Resources Trust Fund. The subcommittee budgets will now move on to the full Senate for consideration.