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Podcast 83 Legislative Update February 17, 2026
Follow the money.
That’s theme of the newest Podcast 83 episode, which breaks down Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s fiscal 2027 budget proposal, released last week.
“We've got a budget presentation from last week we want to talk about,” said host Stephan Currie. “So, let's jump right into it. Deena, do you want to kick us off a little bit on our top legislative item on the budget? We typically look at revenue sharing.
“So, again this year, we're looking at the governor recommended flat funding (on county revenue sharing),” said Deena Bosworth, MAC governmental affairs director. “There are no increases proposed.
“We've been successful in the Senate in getting increases in their versions of the budget, but as it stands right now, the governor is recommending just flat funding. (The governor pointed in her budget presentation to some other items that … help her justify no increase in revenue sharing for counties. And that is the road funding package,” Bosworth continued.
“From our perspective, the road funding package is great, absolutely, but it doesn't do anything to help a county general fund budget. Those are restricted revenues that are going to go to county road departments for roads. … So, we are disappointed in that budget recommendation.”
“We also saw a property tax exemption proposed by the governor,” Currie noted. “Deena, do you want to talk briefly about what the governor's proposing as far as property tax exemptions or cuts, and how that could possibly affect counties if it does?”
“As proposed by the governor, it would not impact local government revenue,” Bosworth replied.
“What she's calling for is exactly what we've been calling for on the Veterans Property Tax Exemption, which is a refundable income tax credit for seniors.
“We’ve heard a lot of talk across the state for several years now on how we need property tax reform … The governor proposed a refundable income tax credit somewhere, and there's going to be income qualifications for it,” Bosworth continued. “It would probably mean about $345 for the average senior homeowner, with a cost to the state budget of about $90 million. … She's also proposing pulling $400 million out of the budget stabilization Fund, which may be a way to help pay for this refundable income tax credit for seniors.”
Also touched on in the episode, recorded Feb. 17, were:
- A proposed increase in the tipping fee for waste, which MAC has issues with.
- Proposed new taxes on gambling, vaping and advertising to shore up the Medicaid program after federal cutbacks.
- The timing of budget passage in an election year.
See video versions of all Podcast 83 episodes on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@michiganassociationofcount2606
Visit the Podcast 83 page at www.micounties.org
View all episodes
By DerekFollow the money.
That’s theme of the newest Podcast 83 episode, which breaks down Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s fiscal 2027 budget proposal, released last week.
“We've got a budget presentation from last week we want to talk about,” said host Stephan Currie. “So, let's jump right into it. Deena, do you want to kick us off a little bit on our top legislative item on the budget? We typically look at revenue sharing.
“So, again this year, we're looking at the governor recommended flat funding (on county revenue sharing),” said Deena Bosworth, MAC governmental affairs director. “There are no increases proposed.
“We've been successful in the Senate in getting increases in their versions of the budget, but as it stands right now, the governor is recommending just flat funding. (The governor pointed in her budget presentation to some other items that … help her justify no increase in revenue sharing for counties. And that is the road funding package,” Bosworth continued.
“From our perspective, the road funding package is great, absolutely, but it doesn't do anything to help a county general fund budget. Those are restricted revenues that are going to go to county road departments for roads. … So, we are disappointed in that budget recommendation.”
“We also saw a property tax exemption proposed by the governor,” Currie noted. “Deena, do you want to talk briefly about what the governor's proposing as far as property tax exemptions or cuts, and how that could possibly affect counties if it does?”
“As proposed by the governor, it would not impact local government revenue,” Bosworth replied.
“What she's calling for is exactly what we've been calling for on the Veterans Property Tax Exemption, which is a refundable income tax credit for seniors.
“We’ve heard a lot of talk across the state for several years now on how we need property tax reform … The governor proposed a refundable income tax credit somewhere, and there's going to be income qualifications for it,” Bosworth continued. “It would probably mean about $345 for the average senior homeowner, with a cost to the state budget of about $90 million. … She's also proposing pulling $400 million out of the budget stabilization Fund, which may be a way to help pay for this refundable income tax credit for seniors.”
Also touched on in the episode, recorded Feb. 17, were:
- A proposed increase in the tipping fee for waste, which MAC has issues with.
- Proposed new taxes on gambling, vaping and advertising to shore up the Medicaid program after federal cutbacks.
- The timing of budget passage in an election year.
See video versions of all Podcast 83 episodes on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@michiganassociationofcount2606
Visit the Podcast 83 page at www.micounties.org