Great Lakes Wire

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has announced that Michigan’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget will allocate nearly $2 billion annually to repair state and local roads. The bipartisan plan is designed to improve daily commutes, enhance safety, save families money, and support thousands of construction jobs across the state.

Governor Whitmer stated, “I ran on fixing the damn roads, and I’m proud to keep my promise and get it done. This year’s balanced, bipartisan budget makes a record, nearly $2 billion annual investment to fix our state and local roads, which will make everyone's drive safer and faster. We’re getting this done by ensuring every penny you pay at the pump goes towards our roads. I’m so grateful to legislators on both sides of the aisle for coming together to get this done so we can build reliable roads that last for decades while supporting tens of thousands of good-paying local jobs. We have a lot of work to do, so let’s move some dirt and fix those damn roads!”

Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist II added, “Our number one job is to make Michiganders’ lives easier. Our seventh balanced, bipartisan budget delivers by making the largest investment to fix our roads in Michigan history. Not only will this nearly $2 billion annual investment keep Michiganders safe, it will also support thousands of good-paying, local construction jobs across the state. Together, we can keep growing Michigan’s economy and making commutes smoother and safer. Governor Whitmer and I are grateful for our legislative partners, and we will continue working with anyone to build a state where everyone can thrive.”

Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) commented on the bipartisan nature of the agreement: “This is the biggest roads deal in history, and it is a very big deal for Michigan's future. We eliminated waste, fraud and abuse in the budget and made smart reforms to make sure the money went to our top priorities. Our plan finally ensures every penny you pay at the pump goes to road funding, something people have demanded for years. And it sends that money to the local roads and bridges in our neighborhoods, instead of just state highways. Those reforms will make our roads smoother and make life better for the people of Michigan.”

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) said, “While this budget cycle featured unprecedented challenges, it also provided us the opportunity to show the rest of the country what leadership can look like in divisive political times. The result: a bipartisan budget that fixes our roads, strengthens public schools, protects health care access, and insulates us from some of the toughest federal cuts. Michiganders and their communities stand to benefit both immediately and into the future because of groundwork we are laying today.”

State Budget Director Jen Flood highlighted the impact on infrastructure: “This road funding plan ensures Michigan can keep investing in safe and reliable infrastructure in communities all across the state. The budget signed by Governor Whitmer establishes sustainable funding that will keep Michigan’s economy growing and drivers across our state safe.”

House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) said: "House Democrats came to the negotiating table months ago ready to work and get a budget done--but we were also clear that Michigan schools, healthcare, and public safety were not going to be on the chopping block. Michigan Democrats worked together to protect those key areas of the budget, and as a result we protected universal free meals and Medicaid, raised state trooper pay and increased Public Safety Revenue Sharing, and did so while developing a long-term road funding plan. This bipartisan, balanced budget was the result of months of work, but the fight continues now to ensure every person in this state has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive.”

Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, noted: “The people of Michigan deserve a budget that prioritizes their well-being and economic prosperity, especially in the midst of political chaos we too often see coming from Washington DC. This budget shows we can come together across party lines to fix today’s real problems – from fixing local roads and bridges, to protecting the social safety net, this budget keeps our state moving forward while keeping our people front and center.”

State Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Township), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee stated: “This budget represents our joint priorities with record investments in education; support for our law enforcement; putting Michigan families first; and fixing the damn roads. I am grateful for the collaboration and bipartisan effort to deliver a budget that is fiscally responsible and responsive to the needs of people and businesses across Michigan.”

Senator Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation commented: "Every community deserves safe, reliable infrastructure they can count on. While we've been focused on building up state roads in recent years, our local roads haven't gotten the full attention they deserve. With this ongoing annual investment, we are working to ensure that all our roads — from major highways to neighborhood streets — are being maintained."

State Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek), sponsor of HB 4181 said: “As a former county commissioner, I understand the importance of ensuring roads are safe and maintained. This roads plan accomplishes this and wouldn’t be possible without the teamwork of House Republicans, Senate Democrats, and the Governor’s office. We were able to put aside our differences to ensure our roads are finally fixed from the driveway to the highway.”

State Rep. Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland), sponsor of HB 4182 stated: “For many years, we have struggled to provide the funding necessary to properly repair and upgrade our local roads. I am pleased we were finally able to come together to pass a plan which will give our local road agencies more ongoing funding to push the accelerator on repairing roads from the driveway to the highway.”

State Rep. Tom Kunse (R-Clare), sponsor of HB 4183 added: “There are no red or blue roads. This bipartisan plan is a win for all Michiganders. Potholes don’t care who you voted for. When we work together, Michigan moves forward — one mile at a time.”

State Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), sponsor of HB 4951 stated: “I’m extremely proud that we have gotten road funding across the finish line. My office has been exploring various road funding solutions for a long time, and it has been an honor to play a role in this process. From potholes to passing lanes, and bridges to boulevards, I look forward to seeing the nearly $2 billion go toward making travel in our communities safer, smoother, and more efficient.”

State Rep. Pat Outman (R-Six Lakes) said: “Fixing Michigan’s roads has been my top priority in the Legislature. This agreement is a hard-fought, bipartisan, and historic step forward that finally delivers the investment our local roads and bridges have needed for decades, while also saving thousands of good-paying construction jobs in Michigan. It’s a big win for families across our state, and it proves that when we work together, we can get Michigan moving forward again.”

State Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor) noted: “This budget is about saving people time and money, and making sure Michigan works for everyone. We secured the largest investment in public transit in state history — $160 million — alongside record funding for local roads to make travel safer, faster, and more reliable. We are rebuilding our infrastructure, saving good-paying jobs, and finally advancing passenger rail throughout our state. I’m proud to have fought alongside Governor Whitmer and my legislative colleagues for these generational investments in Michigan’s future.”

Several bills were signed as part of this initiative: HB 4180 sponsored by Rep. Donnie Steele (R-Orion), HB 4181 sponsored by Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek), HB 4182 sponsored by Rep. Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland), HB 4183 sponsored by Rep. Tom Kunse (R-Clare), HB 4951 sponsored by Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), HB 4961 sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton), and SB 578 sponsored by Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe).

Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel stated: “Together with our partners in the legislature and Governor Whitmer, we are investing in the infrastructure and assets that will move the State of Michigan forward. With a new, sustained pool of funding, we will enhance our efforts to fix local roads. This is a major accomplishment and will make the drive to work or back home smoother and safer for the people of Macomb County.”

Douglas W. Stockwell from Operating Engineers 324 remarked: “We see this budget as the start—not the finish—of the investment our roads and bridges deserve. It accomplishes two essential but long-overdue goals: it ensures that money collected at the pump is used as intended and establishes a sustainable, long-term funding plan. For the 15,000 members of Operating Engineers 324 who build, operate, and maintain Michigan’s infrastructure every day, that commitment means stability and continued progress. Directing funds from the pump to the pavement is a major step forward for our members and for Michigan drivers.”

Rob Coppersmith from Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association commented: "This historic, long-term road funding agreement is a game-changer for Michigan. After decades of short-term fixes and inaction, this budget delivers real, sustainable investment that will repair and rebuild our roads, save good-paying jobs, and strengthen Michigan’s economy. We’re grateful for the leadership of Governor Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, and House Speaker Matt Hall in getting this done. This is a major step forward, but our work isn’t over. We must continue building on this momentum to ensure Michigan’s roads remain safe, reliable, and well-maintained for decades to come.”

Denise Donohue from Michigan County Road Association said: “The Governor, Speaker and Majority Leader as well as the legislative chambers put together a creative, multi-faceted road funding package that specifically addresses our local roads and bridges. Michigan drivers are big winners with this package! They will soon begin to see improved bridges and roads, ultimately leading to fewer vehicle repairs and safer driving conditions. And by replacing the sales tax on gas – where Michigan was an outlier among other states – and replacing it with gas tax Constitutionally-dedicated to roads, we now have all state taxes paid at the pump going to roads. These are big wins for Michigan.”

Brent Pilarski from LiUNA MI stated: "The bipartisan, forward looking state budget that the legislature passed and the Governor has signed delivers real results for Michiganders. Investing an additional nearly $2 billion annually in sustainable long-term road funding creates economic security for business expansion and careers in the construction industry. This budget demonstrates commitment to funding Michigan's infrastructure and keeping skilled building tradesman employed in Michigan for decades to come."

According to information released by Governor Whitmer's office:

- The new plan includes nearly $2 billion per year over four years for improving state/local roads.

- The package sets aside $100 million specifically for repairing or replacing local bridges.

- Public transit projects will receive $100 million.

- Rail grade separation projects are allocated $40 million.

- By year-end 2025 construction season since Whitmer took office more than 24,500 lane miles of roadways plus about 1,900 bridges will be repaired or rebuilt.

- The package redirects all taxes paid at gas pumps toward transportation projects starting January 2026 through a sales tax/motor fuel tax swap; no increase in costs for motorists.

- An additional $420 million annually comes from marijuana industry taxes; another $600 million shift comes from income tax changes.

- Over seven years under Whitmer's administration more than $31 billion has been invested into transportation infrastructure.

Supporters say these changes address long-standing underfunding issues while ensuring steady revenue streams dedicated exclusively for transportation needs.