Dear Neighbor,

Here is some information that I hope you will find helpful, including news and resources from your state government. Note that this edition contains some minor corrections and clarifications to information about the state budget.

🛑 Michigan Attorney General Issues Scam Warning During Federal Shutdown

The Michigan Attorney General is warning Michiganders of government imposter scams that may occur during the federal government shutdown. If a government agency is contacting you, they will never:

  • Request personal information via email, phone, or text;
  • Mail residents a notice and offer payment options; or demand money via email, phone, or text; and
  • Ask for or take payment by prepaid gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency, or a pay app.

If you have received fraudulent calls, texts, or emails from a scammer posing as a government official, you should block them; delete the text or email from your device; and report the communication as spam. Do not click on links or open attachments.

To report a scam or file a complaint, contact the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Team through their online complaint form, or by calling (517) 335-7599.

📝 Make Your Voice Heard in the House Dems Vision Project Survey

Michigan House Democrats are working on a vision for the future of Michigan that reflects the needs and aspirations of all Michiganders. Please fill out our brief Vision Project Survey to share your concerns and ideas about the future of our state.

Anyone who lives anywhere in Michigan is welcome to participate, so please forward the survey to friends and family members who you think might want to weigh in. The survey can be found here.

Follow my official Facebook account for the most up-to-date information. E-news contains a lot of good information, but it takes several days – up to a week – to get it approved and sent.

Sincerely,
Rep Kara Hope's Signature

Kara Hope
State Representative
House District 74
Note: The budget summary presented in last week’s e-news contained an error. The following information is corrected, and unclear references have been clarified.

🏛️ Legislature Passes Budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026

Last week, the Michigan Legislature passed a state budget for fiscal year 2025-2026. This comes after a continuation budget was signed last Tuesday to keep the state government operating through Oct. 8. The governor signed the full budget on Oct. 7. With these developments, Michigan has stopped a state government shutdown. Some appropriations that directly benefit South Lansing and Delhi Township include:

  • $3.5 million for McLaren Greater Lansing and Michigan State University to serve low-income and uninsured patients. This is intended to offset cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
  • $2 million for the Ingham County Land Bank to support downpayment, assistance, home rehabilitation, foreclosure prevention services, and the development of affordable workforce housing.
  • $1.2 million for the Lansing School District to renovate the Don Johnson Fieldhouse to expand the Lansing Student Development Program.

The $51.8 billion state omnibus budget (HB 4706) and $21.3 billion school aid budget (SB 166) include the following funding:

  • $10,050 in per-pupil funding, a 4.6% increase from the previous year.
  • Universal free school meals for all public students, a $201.6 million investment.
  • $321 million for student mental health and safety grants.
  • A $205.5 million increase to special education.
  • $130 million for the School Transportation Fund.
  • More funding for “at-risk” students and English language learners.
  • $1.7 billion total for Michigan’s state universities. All public universities will see a 1.9% to 4.7% funding increase, with MSU receiving a $2.1 increase, or $6.9 million.
  • Free community college for all in-district students, and a 1.7% increase to Lansing Community College.
  • $95 million in grants to public safety, firefighters, and prosecutors.
  • $964 million for the Michigan State Police, which is an $11 million increase from the previous year.
  • $12 million for the state’s Arts and Cultural Program

We passed a long-term road funding plan that is expected to generate $1.8 billion per year, when fully implemented, with additional funding going for local roads. Under House Bills 4180–4183, more revenue from the state gas tax would be directed to roads. House Bill 4951 creates a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana, estimated to deliver $420 million a year for roads.

The budget bills passed last week will also exempt tips and overtime from the state income tax for 3 years, and it also makes sure that tier 3 retirees can take advantage of the standard deduction while not paying taxes on their social security for 3 years. Legislation (HB 4961) also separates (or decouples) the Michigan tax code from federal tax law, preventing major revenue loss caused by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s corporate tax cuts.

Legislation (HB 4968) was also passed to protect Medicaid through changes to the Insurance Provider Assessment Act, a tax on private insurers and others that supports Medicaid. This means that Michigan will qualify for more federal Medicaid funds – and it softens the blow from Medicaid cuts in the “One Big Beautiful Bill” (HR 1).