Republicans Block Detroit Museum Funding, Threatening Cultural Institutions

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 13, 2025 — Last week, House Republicans announced they are blocking nine bills from being signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Among the bills being held hostage are House Bills 4177, 5817 and 5818, a legislative package sponsored by state Reps. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit) and Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) that would allow history museums in Detroit to seek a property tax millage from Wayne County voters. 

“It’s appalling and seemingly methodical that these bills have been cherry-picked by Republicans holding the gavel — they are withholding benefits from Detroit. Museums are crucial components of our city, keeping our history alive and telling the stories of those who came before us,” said Carter. “It was common sense to my colleagues and me that these organizations deserve the ability to generate funding from taxes — and frankly they likely won’t be financially sustainable otherwise.”

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, long standing financial difficulties that the Charles H. Wright Museum and the Detroit Historical Society face have been exacerbated. Losing these important cultural organizations would negatively impact the state’s preservation of history and diminish tourism and educational opportunities in the city of Detroit.

“It is a constitutional obligation to present these bills to the Governor, and House Republicans have the responsibility to the people of Michigan to do just that. The simple fact is that my colleagues and our Senate counterparts passed these policies to support Michiganders and Republicans across the aisle are unconstitutionally withholding that support and circumventing the democratic process,” said state Rep. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit), House Democratic Caucus and Detroit Caucus chair. “Museums fuel the history of Motor City, ensuring Detroiters and individuals across the globe remain aware of the roots of our city. These institutions not only feed the brains of our community, but they also boost our economy. I remain committed to working to get this onto Gov. Whitmer’s desk — where they belong.”

The Detroit Historical Society and the Charles H. Wright Museums are vital to preserving Michigan’s history, fostering education and driving tourism. Their financial stability depends on the opportunity to seek funding through the proposed property tax millage. House Democrats and the Detroit Caucus remain committed to ensuring these bills reach Gov. Whitmer’s desk and become law like they should.