Updates About Appropriations

Senator Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) has proposed a $1 million allocation for a new “Statewide Fentanyl Enforcement” initiative in the Michigan State Police budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The funding would bolster the department’s existing task force operations, which collaborate with other agencies to identify and prosecute fentanyl traffickers across the state. Hertel noted the investment is a direct response to the increasing impact of fentanyl in Michigan communities.

As the Senate Appropriations Military, Veterans and State Police Subcommittee Chair, Hertel believes the appropriation would provide resources to help MSP and its partners identify fentanyl sources, disrupt distribution networks, and hold traffickers accountable. The subcommittee approved the broader FY 2026 State Police budget, which includes this allocation, on a 2-0 vote.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer recently presented her Fiscal Year 2025-2026 Executive Budget Recommendations, kicking off Michigan’s budget season. With a total proposal of $83.5 billion—the largest in state history—the budget reflects a $1.2 billion revenue surplus and prioritizes lowering costs for residents, creating jobs, investing in education, supporting seniors, and strengthening public safety. Key highlights include continued tax relief through the Working Families Tax Credit, expanded universal pre-K, free school meals for all public school students, and increased investment in workforce development. Additionally, the proposal allocates billions toward infrastructure improvements, child care support, and special education funding.

Other notable investments focus on public health and safety, including $46.8 million in opioid settlement funds, increased Medicaid access for seniors and individuals with disabilities, and a $42.8 million tax on vaping and nicotine products (see Governor Recommends New Tax Targeting Youth Nicotine Consumption for more info). The budget also includes major investments in Michigan’s defense industry, cybersecurity, and government modernization. As the legislature begins negotiations, these proposals will shape the final state budget ahead of the July 1 deadline.

In 2024, Michigan’s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) enrolled over 45,000 four-year-olds in free pre-kindergarten, a 10% increase from 2023. This program received funding via a $655 million state budget allocation.

The program, which aims to provide universal pre-K access for 75% of Michigan’s four-year-olds, currently serves 38% of the state’s nearly 117,000 children in that age group. The funding can serve up to 54,000 students and still has 11,000 unfilled spots available to students.

The GSRP emphasizes the importance of early education for early development, emotional intelligence, and long-term academic and career success. MiLEAP Director Beverly Walker-Griffea also highlighted the program’s impact, saving families an estimated $10,000 annually in childcare costs while retaining $450 million in the state’s economy.