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Podcast 83 Legislative Update January 7, 2026
Host: Stephan Currie
Guests: Deena Bosworth, Samantha Gibson and Jimmy Johnson of MAC
Topics: MAC’s Podcast 83 team opened its 2026 schedule this week with an analysis of what will go on in Lansing this year.
The short answer: Not much.
“We recently heard from the House Fiscal Agency at a luncheon, and the numbers projected for the coming (budget) year weren't super promising,” said Samantha Gibson. “I don't think anything too detrimental, as far as the deficit goes, but definitely not what we saw a few years ago when there was a $9 billion surplus …
“(Looking) much like last year, where there was not a ton to go around … So, I think this budget season, deficit or not, will look similar to the last.”
Gibson also noted the court fight over a key element of the 2025 road funding package could further slow legislative activity in 2026: “As far as road funding alone goes, there's a question around whether the marijuana tax is going to move forward? That lawsuit is ongoing. There is uncertainty as to when Treasury is going to be able to start collecting and then distributing on the new corporate income tax, too.”
Putting the team on the spot, Currie asked all three MAC panelists whether there would be more or fewer bills enacted in 2026 than in 2025, when the Legislature set a historic low for enactments.
All three took the under, with Gibson saying as few as 30 bills, Deena Bosworth going with 56 bills and Jimmy Johnson saying 65 to 70 bills.
Also discussed in this week’s episode:
- Continuing uncertainty over which work projects were defunded via a controversial action by the House Appropriations Committee in December. “If any of our counties are concerned (about a project) … Let us know, and we'll do some digging with whichever department that lies in, and help figure it out for you,” said Bosworth ([email protected]).
- Ongoing litigation over an RFP by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to alert the oversight of local mental health services.
“As of right now, we're still in a waiting game,” said Johnson. “The last time that the judge met and gave his final meeting was on Dec. 8, 2025.”
“It’s kind of surprising it's taken this long, to be honest,” said host Steve Currie. “The way the judge was initially speaking when he had his final hearing … it was sounding like he wanted to have a quick decision, so, interesting that it has taken this long.”
Note: MAC has placed a proposal with MDHHS on this project. Learn more here.
- The legislative calendar for the first few months of 2026, including the first Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, set for Jan. 16; a budget presentation from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for fiscal year 2027, date still not set; and, of course, the governor’s State of the State Address, which is expected on Feb. 25.
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 DerekHost: Stephan Currie
Guests: Deena Bosworth, Samantha Gibson and Jimmy Johnson of MAC
Topics: MAC’s Podcast 83 team opened its 2026 schedule this week with an analysis of what will go on in Lansing this year.
The short answer: Not much.
“We recently heard from the House Fiscal Agency at a luncheon, and the numbers projected for the coming (budget) year weren't super promising,” said Samantha Gibson. “I don't think anything too detrimental, as far as the deficit goes, but definitely not what we saw a few years ago when there was a $9 billion surplus …
“(Looking) much like last year, where there was not a ton to go around … So, I think this budget season, deficit or not, will look similar to the last.”
Gibson also noted the court fight over a key element of the 2025 road funding package could further slow legislative activity in 2026: “As far as road funding alone goes, there's a question around whether the marijuana tax is going to move forward? That lawsuit is ongoing. There is uncertainty as to when Treasury is going to be able to start collecting and then distributing on the new corporate income tax, too.”
Putting the team on the spot, Currie asked all three MAC panelists whether there would be more or fewer bills enacted in 2026 than in 2025, when the Legislature set a historic low for enactments.
All three took the under, with Gibson saying as few as 30 bills, Deena Bosworth going with 56 bills and Jimmy Johnson saying 65 to 70 bills.
Also discussed in this week’s episode:
- Continuing uncertainty over which work projects were defunded via a controversial action by the House Appropriations Committee in December. “If any of our counties are concerned (about a project) … Let us know, and we'll do some digging with whichever department that lies in, and help figure it out for you,” said Bosworth ([email protected]).
- Ongoing litigation over an RFP by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to alert the oversight of local mental health services.
“As of right now, we're still in a waiting game,” said Johnson. “The last time that the judge met and gave his final meeting was on Dec. 8, 2025.”
“It’s kind of surprising it's taken this long, to be honest,” said host Steve Currie. “The way the judge was initially speaking when he had his final hearing … it was sounding like he wanted to have a quick decision, so, interesting that it has taken this long.”
Note: MAC has placed a proposal with MDHHS on this project. Learn more here.
- The legislative calendar for the first few months of 2026, including the first Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, set for Jan. 16; a budget presentation from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for fiscal year 2027, date still not set; and, of course, the governor’s State of the State Address, which is expected on Feb. 25.
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