Great Lakes Wire

The Republican-controlled House has passed a $20 billion continuation spending plan, set to begin on October 1 if the Legislature and Governor fail to reach a budget agreement for Fiscal Year 2026 by September 30. The plan received widespread disapproval from Democrats.

House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) described the measure as a "worst-case scenario" designed to fund essential government operations such as schools, prisons, police, and local governments. The bills, HB 4161 and HB 4162, were approved with a vote of 59-49. Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) was the only Democrat to support the proposal.

Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) criticized Hall's approach: “Tell him he is not Donald Trump, that if he wants to actually be a real player in this Capitol, he has to be serious about governing.” She expressed willingness to negotiate but dismissed communication through press conferences as immature.

Hall defended his plan in a press conference, calling it a "government shutdown prevention plan" aimed at countering claims that House Republicans are using a potential shutdown as leverage in budget talks. Rep. Kelly Breen (D-Novi) responded critically: “If he wants to have a press conference every day and be a diva, I will gladly buy him a tiara.”

House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) accused Hall of presenting a false choice between an inadequate budget or government shutdown. Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) echoed this sentiment: “Not only is this an empty budget, it’s also straight out of the Trump playbook.”

Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), appointed House Appropriations Chair, noted immediate supplemental requests on her desk upon appointment. She emphasized resolving last year’s books as crucial.

The proposed bills would cut school funding by $5 billion compared to the previous budget—a reduction of 25%—and many departments would remain unfunded initially.

Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn), House Appropriations Committee Minority Vice Chair, argued that past Democratic efforts involved extensive hearings and amendments: “If this is some kind of negotiating ‘Art-of-the-Deal’ kind of tactic, it is dangerous,” said Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park).

A source likened the situation to federal continuing resolutions used when Congress cannot agree on an annual budget.

Bollin indicated that $49 million would be necessary for book closing while emphasizing that the $20 billion supplemental would allocate approximately $15 billion for schools and over $4 billion for general purposes.