Press Release | Aug. 29, 2025

LANSING, Mich., Aug. 29, 2025 — Today, the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus strongly condemned the House Republican budget bill, House Bill 4706, which proposes to cut billions of dollars and jobs across all areas of state government. Taking a page from the extremist and radical D.C. Republican playbook, the bill threatens the health and safety of all Michiganders, especially those in communities that already face many challenges.

“One thing I know for certain is that Michiganders can’t afford House Republicans’ political games. With rising costs across the board, students returning to schools and harmful cuts to health care and food assistance coming out of Washington, it is unconscionable that Michigan Republicans steadfastly continue putting politics over people,” said state Rep. Donavan McKinney (D-Detroit), member of the House Appropriations Committee. “There is no justification for gutting $4.8 billion for Medicaid funding, defunding SNAP by over $333 million, cutting 53.4% from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights budget or slashing more than $26 million — including $10 million specifically for water affordability efforts — from environmental programs that protect the health, safety and wellness of our communities by keeping our water and air clean. Michiganders deserve better. We deserve leaders who put our communities, families and children first, not a partisan budget worked out behind closed doors ignoring the entire committee process.”

The Republican plan, which was rushed through the House chamber  on Tuesday without an opportunity for review or input by the public, strips away billions of dollars in funding for essential programs and departments, including: 

  • Completely eliminating the Secure Cities Partnerships ($9.9 million), a program that helps law enforcement in Detroit and other areas partner with Michigan State Police to combat violent crime. 
  • Holding hostage over $4.8 billion in funding to help the state offset what it pays for Medicaid, jeopardizing health insurance for low-income families, pregnant women, children, people with disabilities and the elderly. 
  • Cutting over $333.5 million in funds for food assistance programs and requiring the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to seek a waiver from the federal government to exclude soda and candy from eligible foods. 
  • Eliminating the Office of Community Violence, which partners with community-based organizations that are working to reduce violence. 
  • Removing millions of dollars for programs designed to improve birth outcomes for Black mothers and babies. 
  • Eliminating funding for water affordability, which helps erase water arrearages for eligible residents at risk of having their water shut off and subsidizing water affordability programs.
  • Prohibiting spending on DEI programs.

“The budget passed by House Republicans slashes funding from housing, community investment and public safety — undermining the stability of communities all over the state, weakening essential services and putting vulnerable people at risk. The people of Michigan deserve so much better,” said state Rep. Kristian Grant (D-Grand Rapids).

“This budget plan represents a retreat from Michigan’s commitment to racial equity and public well-being. By underfunding civil rights protections, cutting health and food security programs, destabilizing energy assistance and risking federal financing for hospitals and care providers, this budget disproportionately harms Black Michiganders. As the chair of the MLBC, I call on the Senate and the governor to maintain their commitments to restoring funding, safeguarding civil rights enforcement, and reinvesting in community health, food, and energy security to ensure a just and equitable state budget,” said MLBC chair state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw).

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