Great Lakes Wire

Lawmakers and government officials met for an hour at the Capitol on Wednesday as discussions over Michigan’s budget and long-term road funding continued without significant progress. House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) emphasized his desire to see a Senate Democratic plan for road repairs, while Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) reiterated that the immediate priority should be finalizing the state budget.

The meeting, which included Budget Director Jen Flood, House Appropriations Committee Chair Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), Vice Chair Matt Maddock (R-Milford), and other key figures, occurred with less than a month before a potential state government shutdown if no budget agreement is reached.

“I get frustrated about this,” Hall said. “They asked me to put a roads plan on the table. I did and we passed it through the chamber. Then they asked me to pass a budget. (Bollin and Maddock) did a phenomenal job finding $5 billion in waste, fraud and abuse. We passed it through the chamber.

“Now, it’s me trying to solve their problems for them about what their road plan should be. I would just say, at some point, the media should ask the Senate, ‘Where is your roads plan?’”

As Brinks exited with Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), The Detroit News questioned them about their own proposal.

“We got to get a budget done,” Anthony said.

“It should be the budget,” Brinks echoed. “The budget is the thing the constitution requires.”

Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) commented on Hall’s insistence for separate plans from each legislative chamber: “What is needed is for people to be in the room and have a real discussion. To put these kinds of false demands on something when everyone can just get in the room and negotiate it . . . that’s what’s been done in this Legislature for decades, so why (do) we have to have something new because the Speaker is demanding that?” Singh said of having individual plans from both chambers and the Governor. “Quit the grandstanding. I know (Hall) loves his press conferences, but if everyone’s in the room, I think we could get to a good deal.”

Governor Gretchen Whitmer was away on an East Asia trade mission during these negotiations, though her administration was represented by Flood.

Outside, approximately 4,000 union workers representing Michigan's transportation sector gathered around the Capitol lawn as part of an industry-wide rally urging lawmakers—especially Senators—to include long-term road funding in next year’s state budget. Their demonstration coincided with maintenance trucks circling downtown streets.

Lansing Mayor Andy Schor, Michigan Chamber of Commerce President Jim Holcomb, construction executives, and union workers spoke at the event calling for action on infrastructure investment.

“This isn’t just about potholes. It’s about people, jobs and keeping Michigan communities strong,” said Janice Sharper, owner of A Sharper Service. “Every day Lansing delays action, jobs are lost, costs climb, and Michigan drivers end up paying the price.”

Jaymie McMann—a union carpenter from Muskegon—attended despite having active work on Grand Rapids’ Pearl Street Bridge rehabilitation project. He described visible deterioration: “literally falling apart,” with exposed rebar and concrete pieces easily dislodged by hand or foot.

“People can’t see because they’re too busy going over top. It’s going to be a huge hazard,” McMann said of area bridges showing significant structural wear.

Jim Zmetcalf of Jackson reflected on his decades-long experience operating heavy equipment throughout Michigan highways: “It’d be nice to see the state put things together and come up with a plan. A lot of families depend on it… it’s not just for us; it’s for the whole state of Michigan.” Zmetcalf noted he has sometimes felt unsafe crossing certain bridges due to their condition.

The ongoing standoff underscores differing priorities among state leaders as time runs short before mandatory deadlines require action on both road funding proposals and overall budgeting decisions.