LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – With less than two weeks until the state’s new fiscal year begins, Michigan lawmakers remain deadlocked over an $80–90 billion budget, raising the possibility of at least a partial government shutdown. Over the weekend, it seems lawmakers have taken a step back in the negotiation process.
Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) accused House Republicans of stalling.
“Speaker Matt Hall and his allies have weaponized this budget process,” Anthony said. “In an effort to find fraud and waste, they are using government employees as a pawn in their political games.”
House Republicans argue the Senate plan spends too much. Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton) countered, “I think that in the end, the budget is gonna look closer to ours … we’re going to be closer to $80 billion than $90 billion. That’s all we can afford as a state.”
Governor Gretchen Whitmer urged swift compromise, warning that continued gridlock threatens Michigan’s economy.
“223 days ago, I introduced my budget recommendation. 125 days ago, the Senate passed its budget on time as it always have under Leader Brinksm that’s three years in a row. 77 days ago, the statutory budget deadline came and went. 21 days ago, the House finally passed their budget. And let me be clear… that’s not one I would ever sign.” Whitmer said. “My budget team will be in the conversations but putting up the votes and actually passing the budget is the legislature’s responsibility. If we do this right, we can all win.”
Workers Fear Impact on Livelihoods
Public-sector employees say they feel caught in the middle as the clock ticks down. Rachel Dickinson, president of UAW Local 6000, which represents 16,000 public employees across 20 state departments, warned, “This budget is spiraling out of control. This is a direct attack on state public-sector workers and the critical services they provide. It jeopardizes the financial stability of tens of thousands of citizens across Michigan and puts Michiganders at risk.”
Ray Hesser, a child protective services worker with MDHHS, said his team is anxious. “With all of the discussions regarding potential removal positions within the Department of Health and Human Services, as well as slashing funding, it becomes a very hard burden for workers to be able to provide the necessary qualities and the quality of life with our children, as well as their respective families.”
Brandi Jenkins, a counselor with Michigan Rehabilitation Services, which partners with Centers for Independent Living to help people with disabilities find training and accommodations, said the uncertainty threatens life-changing programs. “Our clients rely on us to connect them with job training and college programs,” Jenkins said. “A shutdown would stall that progress and leave people without the support they need to live independently.”
Deadline Approaches
Members of UAW Local 6000 say they’ve been told they would receive 14 days’ notice before any layoffs, but with the October 1 deadline approaching, they still don’t know who will be deemed essential. Both chambers have just seven scheduled session days to strike a deal. Without a compromise, thousands of workers could be temporarily laid off and key services, from road maintenance to disability support programs, could be disrupted.
