Dear Neighbor,

The Michigan Legislature passed the final FY 2025-26 General and School Aid budgets. I am excited to share that, after months of refusing to back down from defending critical Medicaid, food assistance and education funding, I voted for a budget that invests in people and looks out for hardworking Michiganders, seniors, families and kids. Additionally, I’m bringing home $210,000 for upgrades to Atwood Park in the City of Wayne — an investment that will revitalize a beloved community space and give families a safe, welcoming place to gather.

House Democrats stood our ground to secure investments to build people up. This budget…

  • Continues universal school meals so no child goes to class hungry.
  • Delivers breathing room to working families, lowering grocery bills by supporting SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks and universal school meals.
  • Builds affordable housing and water infrastructure, working to ensure that no veteran, child or any other Michigander has to go without shelter or safe drinking water.
  • Invests nearly $2 billion to repair our roads over multiple years.
  • Defends state Medicaid funding, helping hospitals keep their doors open and ensuring seniors, kids and our most vulnerable Michiganders have access to health care.
  • Invests $95 million in public safety and continues sending money back to localities, so every community can support their unique safety needs.

We also secured key investments for public education. After introducing the House Dems’ Education Vision in June and a 10-bill legislative package last month to codify critical school meals, school safety and mental health, and transportation funding streams into law, we’re standing up to possible education cuts at the federal level. We also stood firm against House Republicans’ proposal that would have moved funding away from universal school meals, literacy support and higher education.

House Democrats delivered a School Aid budget that supports every child’s right to a quality education. This budget…

  • Expands the Great Start Readiness Program with removal of income eligibility thresholds.
  • Guarantees transportation funding, ensuring busing support for kids in rural areas.
  • Provides $200 million for universal school meals.
  • Invests $321 million for mental health and school safety grants plus $10 million for community violence intervention programs.
  • Includes a 25% increase in funding for at-risk students and English language learners.
  • Provides $203 million in one-time compensation to help school employees offset rising health care costs and support teacher retention.

While this budget is a hard-fought step in the right direction for Michigan, it is a compromise, and we still have work ahead of us to ensure every Michigander has the support they need to thrive. The reality is that cuts at the federal level have squeezed our funding reserves, and leaders waiting until the last minute to negotiate unfairly threw our school communities into a period of uncertainty. My work isn’t done — I will continue putting my foot down to defend you, your loved ones and our community.

Sincerely,

Peter Herzberg

State Representative | 25th House District