ANN ARBOR, Mich., Dec. 12, 2025 — This week, the House Appropriations Committee removed nearly $645 million in previously negotiated program spending with no discussion and no bipartisan input. The cut funding includes $368,600 from an ombudsman program for Michigan veterans, $102.6 million from community enhancement grants, $63.5 million from infrastructure grants and much more. After the funding cuts, state Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Twp.) issued the following statement:
“Michiganders deserve better than unilateral decisions along party lines that trade their programs and access to health care for a political talking point. It is truly unconscionable that Republicans are claiming they’re getting rid of “waste, fraud and abuse” when in reality they are taking money from veterans, individuals with cancer, people facing food insecurity and so many other vulnerable communities. This is a cruel and unusual approach that undermines the trust Michiganders have in the budget process and their access to programs they rely on.”
###