Michigan Senate Restores $634M After GOP Cuts in Funding

December 22, 2025

Michigan's Senate voted 23-13 on December 16 to restore $634 million in work project funding that House Republicans had eliminated one week earlier through a rarely used procedural mechanism. The original cuts, which removed approximately $645 million from previously approved projects serving vulnerable populations, sparked intense backlash from affected organizations, local governments, and the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, who demanded accountability through press conferences and coordinated advocacy. Five Republican senators crossed party lines to join Democrats in reversing the funding cuts, which had impacted essential programs including childhood cancer treatment, fire safety equipment, environmental projects, and maternal health initiatives.

Who is affected

Children undergoing cancer treatment
New mothers and parents (recipients of Rx Kids program)
Residents of Hamtramck (fire safety equipment)
Black, low-income, rural, and medically vulnerable communities
Students pursuing careers in high-demand fields through the "Local Heroes" program
Michigan Community College Association
Rx Kids organization (Flint-based maternal health initiative)
Grant recipients and organizations that had committed funds based on approved budgets
Local governments across Michigan
Families relying on public media
Neighborhoods awaiting infrastructure improvements
Michigan Legislative Black Caucus members

What action is being taken

The Michigan Senate voted on December 16 to restore $634 million in work project funding
Senator Sarah Anthony sent a letter to Dana Nessel requesting a formal legal opinion on the constitutionality of the budget provision used
The legislation is heading back to the House for consideration
State officials are working to identify the full scope of eliminated funding

Why it matters

This matters because it affects essential services and lifelines for Michigan's most vulnerable populations who already face structural barriers to stability. The reversal demonstrates the critical role of organized community resistance and legislative accountability in protecting programs that serve populations often overlooked in budget decisions. The incident raises fundamental questions about governmental authority, transparency, and whether procedural mechanisms can be used to unilaterally reverse previously approved commitments that organizations and communities had already relied upon. Additionally, it reveals how budget decisions reflect political priorities and whose needs are deemed expendable, particularly affecting programs created through bipartisan agreement that address gaps the private sector has historically failed to fill.

What's next

The legislation returns to the Republican-controlled House for final consideration
Speaker Matt Hall has indicated some funding could still be reinstated
Attorney General Dana Nessel will provide a formal legal opinion on whether the budget provision used is constitutional
Final implementation remains uncertain pending House action

Read full article from source: Michigan Chronicle