South Michigan News

State Representative Sarah Lightner and the Michigan House have taken significant steps to finalize last year's budget, aiming to dispel any rumors of a potential government shutdown as they begin work on the 2025-26 state budget.

The House has approved supplemental budget legislation designed to make necessary adjustments for closing the books on the state's most recently completed fiscal year. This plan also allocates funds for essential services in the upcoming fiscal year, ensuring that a government shutdown is avoided.

"This plan focuses on solutions that will safeguard the state services that people depend on," Lightner stated. She addressed concerns about a possible budget standoff leading to a government shutdown by saying, "The rumors circulating about a possible budget standoff shutting down state government are unfounded, but we took a vote anyway to address any concerns that the essential functions of state government will continue uninterrupted at the start of the next fiscal year."

Lightner expressed disappointment over what she described as fearmongering regarding a hypothetical shutdown. "I’m disappointed in the fearmongering that’s going on here. It’s unproductive to set off alarm bells about a hypothetical shutdown when we have already shown several times in the past two months that the Legislature can work in bipartisanship to get things done. Things will be no different when we take on the full budget in the coming months."

House Bills 4161 and 4162 aim to ensure continued funding for critical state services such as prison operations, public safety, court systems, veterans' homes, and local government operations. The bills also provide record per-pupil foundation support for schools while maintaining full funding for special education, school safety and mental health programs, and retirement obligations.

Both chambers of Michigan's legislature will continue their efforts toward developing a comprehensive budget plan in upcoming months.