Legislation squashes rumors of government shutdown

State Rep. Sarah Lightner and the Michigan House today took two key procedural steps to complete last year’s budget and take unnecessary talk about a possible government shutdown off the table as the Legislature begins work on the 2025-26 state budget.

The House approved supplemental budget legislation that makes adjustments related to closing the books on the state’s most recently completed fiscal year. The House plan also funds important services in the next fiscal year to prevent a government shutdown.

“This plan focuses on solutions that will safeguard the state services that people depend on,” Lightner said. “The rumors circulating about a possible budget standoff shutting down state government are unfounded, but we took a vote anyway to address any concerns that the essential functions of state government will continue uninterrupted at the start of the next fiscal year.

 “I’m disappointed in the fearmongering that’s going on here. It’s unproductive to set off alarm bells about a hypothetical shutdown when we have already shown several times in the past two months that the Legislature can work in bipartisanship to get things done. Things will be no different when we take on the full budget in the coming months.”

House Bills 4161 and 4162 ensure continued funding for state services, including prison operations, public safety, the court system, veterans’ homes, and local government operations. It also includes record per-pupil foundation support for schools and maintains full funding for special education, school safety and mental health, and retirement obligations.

The House and Senate will continue working on a full budget plan in the coming months.

###