April 18th-May 1st, 2026

The Michigan Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on DHHS recently released their budget recommendations for the department for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 (FY 27). The proposal came in at $40.4 billion ($7.6 billion GF/GP), a gross increase from last year of $10.5 billion ($206.9 million GF/GP). The Senate came in $500 million under Gov. Whitmer’s proposal.

Notably, the Senate recommendation did not include new taxes proposed by the Governor on digital advertising, tobacco, vapes, and other nicotine products, or the changes to online gambling taxes, that would generate an estimated $800 million to assist in covering Medicaid costs. While the Senate did not include any identified Medicaid cost savings in its budget, Gov. Whitmer’s proposal included $150 million in savings and House Republicans called for $300 million. The Senate also proposed 485 new Full-Time Employees (FTEs) compared to the 589 new positions recommended by the Governor.

A brief overview of the Michigan House Republicans proposal can be found here.

The primary field for the Governor’s race in both parties is expected to be finalized after the Michigan Bureau of Elections (BOE) completes signature validation, with nine candidates having submitted the minimum required signatures for review. The candidates who filed for each party are listed below:

Democrats

• Secretary of State, Jocelyn Benson
• Genesee County Sheriff, Chris Swanson
• Former Federal Auditor, Kim Thomas

Republicans

• U.S. Congressman, John James
• Businessman, Perry Johnson
• Former Attorney General, Mike Cox
• Senate Minority Leader, Aric Nesbitt
• Pastor, Ralph Rebrandt

Former Mayor of Detroit, Mike Duggan, who is running as an independent, will forgo any primary election and instead have to turn his signatures in by July 16 in order to appear on the November general election ballot.

Recently, the Michigan Democratic Party held their State Endorsement Convention. At the convention, party delegates voted to endorse current Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II for Secretary of State and Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit for Attorney General. Gilchrist won the endorsement over Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum and former Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. Eli Savit beat out Oakland County Prosecutor Karen McDonald.

With nominees now finalized, both parties can shift their focus to the general election in November. Below are the matchups for each race.

Secretary of State

• Democrat Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II
• Republican Macomb County Clerk, Anthony Forlini

Attorney General

• Democrat Washtenaw County Prosecutor, Eli Savit
• Republican Eaton County Prosecutor, Doug Lloyd

Senate Democrats plan to reintroduce legislation to establish a state-based health insurance exchange in Michigan and create a reinsurance pool aimed at helping reduce health care costs.

The proposal would shift the state from the federally facilitated exchange under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to a system run by Michigan, over a one-year transition period. The change would aim to lower administrative costs, allowing the state to redirect savings into other programs and efforts, such as increasing the enrollment rate in Michigan and giving the State more flexibility in managing health care.