Republican lawmakers slash funding for people and programs across the state

LANSING, Mich., Dec. 11, 2025 — Yesterday, the Republican-led House Appropriations Committee removed nearly $645 million in previously negotiated and promised spending with no discussion or bipartisan input. By pulling back this funding, House Republicans effectively ripped away multi-year investments in Michiganders’ health, safety and economic opportunity.

“Part of the cruelty is yanking back  dollars that were already promised . Without funding, our communities suffer — the most vulnerable and those with the least suffer the most. Republicans claim to be transparent, cut waste and stop fraud. Instead they’re showing everyone how cold, calculated and cut-throat they are when it comes to caring about the lives of all Michiganders,” state Rep. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit), Detroit Caucus Chair.

“House Democrats are clear about the fight to get people the resources they need to create the thriving lives they deserve to live. Republicans decided yesterday they didn’t care about anybody — not even their own constituents who will suffer too. These cuts are far from ‘waste, fraud and abuse,’ they are real programs with real results and Michiganders don’t deserve to be used as tokens in the Republican’s political ploys,” state Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit), Detroit Caucus Vice Chair.

“So many nonprofit organizations and local governments rely on the promised State funding to address our communities’ greatest needs: healthier babies, safer neighborhoods, better schools, and more affordable housing. Last night’s move by House Republicans was an abuse of power. The $645 million in cuts will hurt people and will harm the projects that address their needs,” said state Rep. Tonya Myers Phillips (D-Detroit), Detroit Caucus Treasurer.

“House Republicans just unilaterally stole critical funding that was already promised from pregnant mothers and babies, children suffering with cancer and housing for senior citizens. Programs that are helping to make life more affordable for Michiganders and infrastructure projects already in progress just had their funding clawed back for no other reason than cruelty and chaos. This is the ultimate betrayal of public trust that will do irrevocable harm to Michiganders across the state, and the Detroit Caucus condemns every House Republican who voted for it and who has failed to call out their Speaker for this heinous act,” state Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park), Detroit Caucus Secretary  

“Based on the continuance of disastrous policies, it appears Republicans want a Michigan where people can’t keep food on the tables, drive to decent paying jobs or live in a house they can afford. Taking away nearly $645 million from Michigan families, communities and programs is a downpayment on bankrupting the futures of our children and our communities. As a husband and father of three young children, I’m fighting for a future where all of us  can have what we need. I’m fighting for people to live, work, raise their families and retire with dignity and not in poverty and what Republicans did yesterday is clearly not the way to do it,” state Rep. Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit), Member of the Detroit Caucus and Appropriations Committee.

“The work of the Democratic majority two years ago is eroding in front of our eyes. It’s a sad day for Michiganders when partisan politics is the order of the day. The people of Michigan deserve leadership and accountability that prioritizes the policies that improve and not impede the lives of Michiganders. The people deserve better than this,” state Rep. Joe Tate (D-Detroit), Member of the Detroit Caucus.

Some of the cuts include:

  • $159.3 million from Make it in Michigan competitiveness grants;
  • $102.6 million from community enhancement grants;
  • $63.5 million from infrastructure grants;
  • $50 million from Indigent Defense Commission grants;
  • $18.5 million from a prenatal and infant support program (Rx Kids);
  • $3 million from local food infrastructure;
  • $368,600 from an ombudsman program for Michigan veterans;
  • $1.4 million from mental health services and community outreach;
  • Grant funding from the Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills; 
  • $56,600 that provided wigs to Michiganders undergoing cancer treatment;
  • $2.5 million from a pilot study for traffic cameras in school zones;
  • $1.3 million from the Office of Global Michigan;
  • $1.9 million from grants to symphony orchestras.

###