Road funding solutions are the focus of Michigan’s 2025 state budget debate, with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and House Speaker Matt Hall offering competing visions to address the state’s crumbling infrastructure. Whitmer’s “MI Road Ahead Plan” proposes raising $3 billion for transportation improvements by closing corporate tax loopholes — such as ending the marijuana wholesale exemption — and modest tax increases on large corporations and tech firms. Her plan avoids raising taxes by including $500 million in proposed budget cuts to redirect funding toward road and bridge improvements. Speaker Hall’s alternative $3.145 billion proposal focuses on reallocating existing revenue without raising taxes. Under his plan, all gasoline tax revenue would exclusively fund roads and fuel sales tax would be converted to a revenue-neutral motor fuel tax dedicated to transportation. Critics argue his plan could reduce funding for other essential services, including schools and public health.
Michigan lawmakers are debating two bills to limit student cellphone use in K-12 public schools. House Bill 4141, introduced by Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester Hills), would specify restrictions based on grade levels. Senate Democrats, led by Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), introduced a bill that would require local school boards to develop their own policies for student cellphones to address their specific district concerns.
Michigan's Fiscal Year 2026 budget process is progressing through the legislative stages. Governor Whitmer proposed an $83.5 billion budget in February, almost a $3 billion increase from the current fiscal year. The proposal emphasizes investments in education, workforce development, and public safety, including initiatives like universal pre-K, tuition-free community college, and a $50 million deposit into the state's Budget Stabilization Fund. The Michigan House of Representatives recently passed a "continuation spending bill" to maintain government operations if a budget consensus is not reached by the Sept. 30 deadline.
A diverse array of candidates from various political backgrounds have declared their intentions to run for Michigan Governor in 2026. The Democratic candidates are: Michigan Lieutenant Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II; Michigan's Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson; and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson. The Republican candidates are: Michigan Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt; U.S. Representative for Michigan's 10th Congressional District John James; Mike Cox, former Michigan Attorney General from 2003 to 2011; and Anthony Hudson, a truck driver from Genesee County. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan is running as the sole Independent candidate for Governor.
For more details on these legislative issues, please click here for the full May 2025 Karoub Report.
