On Tuesday, House Republicans passed a budget that makes cuts to nearly every state department, including reductions to most areas of Medicaid funding. I voted no on HB 4706. Michigan is expected to lose at least $700 million in federal funding starting in October due to cuts in the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act. In my opinion, the budget will make Michigan poorer, less safe, and less prepared for the future.
It is worth noting that House Democrats were given one hour to review the 800-page document before the vote took place. As I continue to go through the budget, here is the headline: House Bill 4706 cuts billions for services and up to FOUR THOUSAND state jobs.
Some of the larger department cuts include the following:
- 53.4% reduction to the Department of Civil Rights budget. As the name suggests, Civil Rights handles allegations of discrimination in housing and employment based on race, religion, disability, and other protected groups.
- 46.7% reduction to the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity. LEO (as it is known) enforces worker safety and other protections and handles unemployment claims, among other tasks.
- 29.6% cut from the Department of Attorney General. As the attorney for the people of the state of Michigan, the Attorney General represents civil and criminal cases, advises state agencies, fights for crime victims, and offers expungement services.
- 24% from the Department of State. Commonly referred to as the Secretary of State, this department issues drivers licenses and processes vehicle registrations, tab renewals, and title transfers, among other services. The SOS also oversees and certifies elections across the state.
- 19.2% from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. EGLE (as it is known) protects Michiganâs environment and public health by managing air, water, land, and energy resources.
- 7% from the Department of State Police. This equates to about 433 fewer full-time positions within our state police department.
The Department of Health and Human Services was deeply cut across the board. Public health and several Medicaid services, including dental care, are cut in the Republican budget. More than $300 million in food assistance is gone.
The Department of Transportation received a rare budget increase. In my opinion, this increase can only be made possible by cuts to school programs, health care, and more. As Iâve mentioned previously, state statute requires that state budgets be complete by July 1 every year. The nearly two-month delay has stymied the House’s negotiations with the Senate and governor, and it has put schools in the difficult position of starting the school year without a full state budget signed by the governor.
Now that the House has passed a budget, negotiations between the House, Senate, and governor can continue. However, House Republicans are already demanding that Democrats make major concessions, and they predict that they will not âbudgeâ much from the budget that was passed this week. If a compromise is not reached on a completed budget by Oct. 1, the state government will shut down.
