Dear Neighbor,
After months of fighting for a fiscally responsible state budget, I’m excited to announce that we finally got the job done and successfully passed a budget that invests in our community and communities around Michigan! This agreement centers on people-first investments to lower costs, protect vital services, fix our roads, and expand opportunities for Michigan families. It also delivers on major priorities like free school meals and keeps harmful Medicaid cuts at bay.
Unfortunately, our counterparts in Washington have been unable to get their budget passed, leading to a shutdown of federal departments and agencies. While we continue to navigate this challenging political environment, please know that our office remains available to help you — whether that’s keeping you informed of the latest developments, answering any questions you may have, or providing assistance with any challenges you may be facing with state departments.
You can reach me and my team by emailing sensmccann@senate.michigan.gov or calling 517-373-5100.
Sincerely,
Sean McCann
State Senator
District 19
- The Legislature has finally passed a bipartisan budget agreement that invests in you, your family, and our community. Read on to learn more about the exciting investments we’re making to build up the future of our state.
- With Congress unable to reach a budget agreement, the federal government has entered a partial government shutdown, causing indefinite delays and interruptions to various public services and programs millions of Michigan residents and Americans rely on. Find out how you and your loved ones might be affected below.
Bipartisan State Budget Passed Legislature, Signed by Governor
Budget Protects Medicaid, Counters Severe Federal Cuts, Fixes the Roads, and Keeps the State Open
Since day one, I’ve been focused on this end goal: finalizing a state budget that invests in the people who call our state home. While it was a long and sometimes arduous process of getting here, I’m excited to say that the Legislature has finally passed a bipartisan budget agreement that reflects the values I have long been fighting for — strong schools, safe communities, access to health care, and opportunity for all.
Our final budget deal works to fill critical gaps caused by cuts from the Trump administration, ensures stability in the services people rely on to survive, and protects what matters most to Michigan families. More specifically, it includes investments to:
- Support Students and Schools: Secures the highest-ever per-pupil funding, $10,050, continues the widely popular free school meals program, and increases funding for at-risk students, school safety and student mental health, and more.
- Lower Costs: Continues the retirement tax repeal to save seniors $1,000 per year, makes childcare more affordable through the Tri-Share program, and supports workforce training opportunities. The budget also continues to deliver the Working Families Tax Credit, Michigan’s match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), putting an average combined refund of $3,500 in the pockets of 650,000 families.
- Protect Vital Services: Saves Medicaid in Michigan to ensure health care remains accessible and affordable, protects SNAP benefits and the Double Up Food Bucks program, and continues support for police and fire departments.
- Implement a Long-Term Road Solution: Requires that corporations pay their fair share, enabling a sustainable plan to fund road repairs without raiding our schools or other essential programs.
- Fight Federal Cuts: Mitigates the worst impacts of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” to prevent a $1 billion budget hit and protect health care access, public safety, schools, and more.
To read more about what this budget means for Michigan, visit SenateDems.com/budget.
How the State Budget Invests in Our Local Community
In addition to big-picture investments to help move our state forward, our final budget agreement included $5.8 million for priority projects throughout our community.
These projects were identified through countless conversations I had with constituents, local leaders, and community organizations during the months-long budget process. In these discussions, I was focused on finding ways we could target state dollars in a meaningful way to ensure we could have the biggest impact on our local economy and residents’ everyday lives.
We were able to achieve that goal by securing funding for:
- $1,000,000 for the Douglass Community Association in Kalamazoo County to support ADA upgrades and technology improvements.
- $500,000 for the City of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety to purchase new fire turnout gear.
- $40,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan to support an HVAC replacement.
- $2,000,000 for the City of Portage to support a new project to control stormwater runoff from U.S. 131.
- $2,300,000 for the ongoing operations of the Michigan Geological Survey that is housed at Western Michigan University.
Investments in Higher Education
Along with the priorities mentioned above, as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Universities and Community Colleges, my work was instrumental in securing investments to make community college, four-year universities, and skills training more accessible and affordable. The budget I spearheaded through passage last week provides an increase in funding to all Michigan universities and community colleges. During budget negotiations, Senate Democrats also stood firm in protecting schools from having their funding restricted simply because they choose to recognize and uphold diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
Whether at a college, university, or skilled-trade institution, we’re continuing to ensure Michigan residents across the state can access the tools needed to pave their pathway to success. The budgets we passed last week not only helps keep a bright future in reach for our young people; it also safeguards our academic institutions from the federal attacks on DEI programs that are so integral to ensuring excellence can be accessible to anyone willing to put in the work. I’m incredibly proud to have gotten this across the finish line and am looking forward to witnessing how these investments will positively impact our residents and economy far into the future.
Monthly Legislative Update on WKZO
On the first Monday of every month, I have the pleasure of discussing my monthly legislative update with Ken Lanphear on WKZO. I visited Ken on Oct. 6, 2025 to give an update on the recently passed state budget. We talk about the points of pride and compromise and discuss what the next steps are for the fall legislative session. Listen here: https://omny.fm/shows/kalamazoo-mornings-with-ken-lanphear/state-senator-sean-mccann-with-a-legislative-update-4
Federal Shutdown: How Will it Impact Me?
With a budget bill not passed by Congress to fund government operations before this new fiscal year, the federal government has entered a partial government shutdown starting just after midnight on Oct. 1, 2025, causing indefinite delays and interruptions to various public services and programs millions of Michigan residents and Americans rely on. Find out how you and your loved ones might be affected below.
- Social Security & Supplemental Security Income (SSI): These benefits will continue to be distributed during the shutdown. However, the Social Security Administration (SSA) will stop benefit verifications and processing of overpayments. Local Social Security offices may be closed to in-person service, so you should check local office closures on the Social Security website before visiting.
- Medicare & Medicaid: These benefits will continue to be distributed during the shutdown. However, you will not be able to get a new or replacement Medicare card, and benefit verifications will stop.
- Food Assistance: Unfortunately, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) could quickly run out of funding and soon be unable to help hungry children and parents in need. Depending on how long the shutdown lasts, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits could also run out of funding.
- Veterans Benefits: All Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities and clinics will remain fully operational. The VA will continue to process veterans’ benefits.
- Mail Services & Post Offices: The United States Postal Service (U.S.P.S.) will continue to operate as normal.
- Airports & Traveling: The State Dept. will continue to issue passports and visas and assist Americans abroad. However, a reduced workforce could impact operations. If you have flight arrangements, plan for delays and cancellations due to disruptions in staffing of airport employees, air traffic controllers, and TSA agents — all who are deemed essential and expected to work, but without pay.
Please be aware that due to the reductions and disruptions in staffing caused by the shutdown, you may experience delays and other issues associated with these federally provided programs and services. Learn more here.
Stay Safe from COVID-19 & Other Seasonal Respiratory Viruses
The beginning of fall also marks the start of the flu season. Especially before the holidays arrive and family gatherings take place, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from seasonal respiratory viruses like the flu and COVID-19. The best protection? Stay up to date on vaccines.
I understand that the recent actions of the federal government have left many feeling anxious and uncertain about their ability to access the COVID-19 vaccine now or into the future. I want you to know that we are in contact with the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) regarding the evolving state and federal COVID-19 recommendations. We will continue to monitor the situation to ensure you can access this vaccination, which overwhelming evidence has shown is safe, has saved millions of lives, and prevented tens of millions of hospitalizations in the U.S.
We encourage you to follow up with your provider or call your local pharmacy directly to check on the availability of the COVID-19 vaccine and any specific guidelines.
To learn more about seasonal respiratory illnesses — including Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) — and how to protect yourself, visit Michigan.gov/covidflursv. Along with getting vaccinated, you can take everyday preventative actions to stop the spread of germs, such as by practicing good hygiene and taking steps for cleaner air. If you may have a respiratory virus, use precautions to prevent spread and seek health care promptly for testing and/or treatment if you have risk factors for severe illness.