Update from Lansing, FY 2026-27 budget negotiations, and more

Update from Lansing, FY 2026-27 budget negotiations, and more

E-Newsletter | State Rep. Matt Longjohn | May 1, 2026

Hello Friends,

The past couple of months have kept me busy both in Lansing and here in the 40th District, and I wanted to share an update on what I’ve been working on — from community events and policy conversations to the early stages of budget negotiations.

As always, you’ll also find a list of upcoming opportunities to connect in our community, and I’ll continue sharing more detailed budget updates as negotiations move forward.

• As many constituents asked me to do, I proudly voted against HB 4765. This is Michigan’s version of the SAVE Act. Strengthening our democracy means expanding participation — not creating new obstacles that risk wrongful voter purges, confusion or disenfranchisement. Non-citizen voting is extremely rare. For example, a study by the Brennan Center for Justice examining 23.5 million ballots cast across 42 jurisdictions in the 2016 general election found just 30 suspected cases of noncitizens voting — about 0.0001% of all votes in those areas. Proposals like HB 4765 would only make it harder for many Michiganders to vote by attempting to solve an insignificant problem. For more information, visit Michigan Bureau of Elections’ Only U.S. Citizens Can Vote one-pager.
• I had the honor of celebrating Essence Pye, the winner of the Michigan Works! Impact Award. Essence’s journey, from participating in PATH while overcoming childcare and transportation barriers to graduating at the top of her class and securing a full-time healthcare career, shows how demand-driven training and supportive services create real opportunity. Her success demonstrates how strong employer partnerships strengthen our healthcare workforce while helping families achieve long-term stability. Video courtesy of Michigan Works!
• At Western Michigan University, I connected with occupational therapy educators, practitioners and students to talk about access to care, reimbursement, the cost of education and the importance of the OT Compact.
• I convened researchers, insurers, patient advocates and educators for a stakeholder discussion on the future of primary care in Michigan. Together, we focused on improving access, lowering costs, growing the workforce and advancing patient-centered care.
• I celebrated “March is Reading Month” at my former elementary school, Amberly Elementary. Third graders at Amberly welcomed me for an afternoon of reading and sharing what I do in Lansing and the importance of civic engagement and knowledge.

Budget season has started earlier than last year, which represents an important step forward. During a nearly 22-hour stretch last week, I introduced 14 amendments in the House Appropriations Committee and on the House floor to improve the House budget proposal.

The House rejected every amendment I offered along party lines, but I will keep fighting for a people-first budget that:

• Protects Medicaid and SNAP access by funding the staff and systems needed to implement new federal work requirements without mass coverage loss.
• Supports early childhood and low-income families by restoring the Head Start Collaboration Office to help parents navigate SNAP and Medicaid changes.
• Keeps kids safe in childcare settings by strengthening licensing, health and vaccination oversight.
• Lowers childcare costs for working parents by restoring state funding for the Tri-Share program and recruiting businesses to match that investment.
• Invests in workforce and economic mobility through increased, ongoing support for community colleges and Michigan’s tribal colleges.
• Protects Michigan’s future by maintaining stable funding for public universities and restoring transparency in our education system

While I welcome the earlier action to begin the budget process this year, I am concerned that the budget as passed by the House last week will fail to seriously address the fallout from the U.S. President’s so-called “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”. I hope that through negotiations we can deliver a budget that protects Michiganders from the fallout of federal cuts and puts families first.

You can always find me around the district at a variety of locations and times. I hope you’ll join me for coffee or drinks at an upcoming event to hear what’s happening in Lansing, share your thoughts or ask questions.

I look forward to connecting with you soon, and I encourage you to keep an eye out for additional budget updates as negotiations continue.

Sincerely,

Dr. Matt Longjohn
State Representative
House District 40