Host: Deena Bosworth

Guests: State Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Kent) and Samantha Gibson of MAC

Topics: State Rep. John Fitzgerald (D-Kent) urged county leaders to reach out more to him and his colleagues in the Legislature during 2026’s first “Legislator Spotlight” episode of Podcast 83.

“You've always been great to local units of government and wonderful to work with and talk to, so I appreciate that, and I appreciate you still maintaining that focus,” said MAC’s Deena Bosworth, filling in for Executive Director Stephan Currie as episode host.

“I think that that's really where the different levels of government really do coexist and depend on one another,” Fitzgerald replied. “It's a coexistence and a cooperation that is completely necessary to ensure that government functions well for the people.

“We could have a short-sighted policy or decision made at the state level that doesn't consider the potential impacts. And there are times where we have policies at the state level that are not the no. 1 choice of local governments … Understanding that those decisions can and will be made, but there are also times and, you know, it's necessary to include that in the decision-making process,” he continued. “And so, when I talk about the cooperation, just like I hope my congressperson calls me about what's happening in my communities, I hope that my county commissioners … call me to say, ‘I'm running into a roadblock here. They're telling me that it's something at the state level that must change before we can tackle that issue.’”

Also in the episode, Fitzgerald, who is now in his third term in the House, touched on:

The impact of changes in the House, such as the absence of a Local Government Committee and the new legislatively directed spending process

The challenges of budget constraints and the importance of place-making projects to attract and retain residents, citing examples from his district

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

Host: Stephan Currie

Guests: Deena Bosworth, Samantha Gibson and Jimmy Johnson of MAC

Topics: Comments by House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo) about his 2026 priorities were a focus of this week’s episode of Podcast 83.

“The biggest one that affects our members the most is Speaker Hall is talking about property tax reform,” said Deena Bosworth.

“We don't know what this looks like. We don't know if he's talking about elimination of property taxes with a replacement of some kind of mechanism. We don't know if he's talking about getting rid of just a certain number of mills, like the state education tax, and then replacing it with something else. …

“You've got certain groups out there who are advocating for the elimination of property taxes. You've got other states that are looking at significant property tax reform. So, it isn't a new conversation, but the fact that he's making it a priority, and one of his priorities is significant. …

“The case that we (at MAC) will be making out there when they're talking about this reform is, no. 1, Michigan's property tax system is extremely restrictive. We are capped by increases of 5 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. We are required to do Headlee rollbacks, unless you have to go to the voters and get an override on it. …

“So whatever replacement mechanism is out there has to be able to be locally controlled, locally managed and provide enough money to actually supplement whatever is going to be taken away from property tax revenue.”

Other topics discussed in the episode include:

·         Initial projections for state General Fund revenue for the fiscal 2027 budget point to a “flat” budget compared to the current FY26 one: “For the most part, what that means is likely a flat budget, not a whole lot of extra spending or extra legislative-directed spending,” Bosworth said.

·         The legal wrangling over “work project” funding involving House leadership, Attorney General Dana Nessel and Senate appropriators: “In early December, the House Appropriations Committee cut about $645 million in work project funding,” said Samantha Gibson. “At the request of Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony, Nessel weighed in, deeming it unconstitutional.

“The House Republicans appealed that opinion by the attorney general. It's in the Court of Claims right now,” Gibson continued. “Last Friday morning was the first day of oral arguments in the case, and the judge in the Court of Claims issued a preliminary injunction. So, for now, the portion of funds (not already encumbered), which seems to be around 30 percent of that $645 million, is blocked.”

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

Host: Stephan Currie

Guests: Deena Bosworth, Jimmy Johnson and Samantha Gibson of MAC

Topics: As the Legislature prepares its 2026 work schedule, MAC’s Podcast 83 team reviewed several continuing issues from 2025 in its latest episode.

In the wake of a Court of Claims ruling on a mental health revamp planned by the state, eyes now have turned to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), the lead agency on the project, said MAC’s Jimmy Johnson.

“So … what happens next? Jan. 29 is the deadline that MDHHS has to appeal this,” Johnson explained, so we're going to be watching that very closely. We could see some timelines change. … There are some rules that are impermissible with Michigan law, so now MDHHS is going to have to come up with those fixes, bring it to the judge and the judge is going to have to concur.”

“There's a lot of moving parts on that, and timeframe issues, especially when you start looking at, again, an election year and an administration change coming at the end of this year,” replied host Steve Currie. “You know, this Oct. 1 deadline that was originally put out there or the changeover … if you start putting out a new RFP, we're already halfway through January, so that extends things out. It'll be interesting to see what the department does at this point, with regards to this change.”

Governmental Affairs Director Deena Bosworth reviewed how an Attorney General’s opinion has reversed a major change in state spending sought by House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo): “The Attorney General's opinion came out and said, no, (the House action) is unconstitutional; there is a separation of powers issue that once an appropriations bill passes through the House and the Senate and gets signed by the governor, then it's up to the administration to administer this. It's now a law.

“Now, all of a sudden, we've got an issue where the speaker is, going to appeal that decision … and we think there's going to be a hearing yet at the end of this week,” she added.

MAC’s Samantha Gibson gave a summary of key legislative dates in coming weeks as work will begin on the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget. 

“The first (key date) is this Friday. The Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, also known as CREC, will be Jan. 16,” Gibson reported. “Following that is the governor's budget presentation, which maybe will be Feb. 12, so we'll have more insight as to what the governor's priorities are. …

“And beyond that, we have State of the State coming up on Feb. 25, so even more insight into the governor's priorities going into 2026,” she added.

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

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

Host: Stephan Currie
Guests: Deena Bosworth, Jimmy Johnson and Samantha Gibson of MAC
Topics: In its final episode of 2025, the Podcast 83 team discussed the flurry of legislative activity that struck Lansing around Dec. 18.

“It's the holiday season, and we finished up the year. Before we get into specific bills … I think they passed something like 25 bills last week. Which was more, I think, than the rest of the year, is that correct?” host Stephan Currie asked.

“That might be. It's a very low number (for the year),” replied Samantha Gibson.

“And definitely the most in one day (in 2025),” added Jimmy Johnson.
“So, they had a record-setting day on Thursday, and then, yeah, so it was an uneventful year, eventful day. Let's talk a little bit about some of the things they did do that affect us,” Currie said.

Among issues discussed were:

•Senate passage of House Bill 4726, which extends the “Maintenance of Effort” funding framework for county-owned Medical Care Facilities for five years. “Good work on that, Jimmy. It took an unbelievable amount of tender, loving care to get that done on such a simple bill, but hey, that's the world we live in right now,” said Currie.
•Growing concerns about the huge road funding package passed this fall, which relies on a new marijuana wholesale tax. “So, the latest information that we have is that the Department of Treasury is likely not going to start collecting on the taxes that go into effect on Jan. 1 until December of 2026, which means they wouldn't be distributed until January 2027,” Gibson reported.
•The state budget cycle for fiscal year 2027, which is expected to be chaotic, as a $400 million reduction in General Fund resources looms and distrust between the Republican-led House and Democratic Senate lingers.
•The potential for major property tax changes in calendar 2026, a goal identified by House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo).

Also in this final episode of 2025, the MAC team gives an extensive critique of ― and interesting theory about ― the officiating and results from the Detroit Lions game with Pittsburgh on Dec. 21.

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

Host: Stephan Currie

Guests: Deena Bosworth, Samantha Gibson and Jimmy Johnson of MAC

Topics: A surprising move by the House Appropriations Committee and the potential new financial reporting requirement for commissioners topped the latest regular report from Lansing by the Podcast 83 team.

“You never know these days in town, but, last week, at the end of the week, we had some fireworks, that have to do with work projects, how they're funded, where the money goes,” said host Stephan Currie. “So, let's talk a little bit about that. Let's talk about the process, what happened, what we know, what we don't know.

“What we saw this week was the House Appropriations Committee cancel all kinds of work projects that were previously approved by the Appropriations Committee, and signed by the governor, so these are things that people get grants for,” replied Deena Bosworth. “So, whether it's, you know, a park, a special building or an infrastructure project in people's districts ― these are what we call work projects.

“And we saw the House Appropriations Committee cancel over $600 million of them last week. And they can do that, unilaterally.

“The only way to really get them back,” Bosworth continued, “is for the Legislature to act to do a transfer package. Which we see on a regular basis. Or to do a supplemental budget appropriation.

“But with the way the House and the Senate are getting along with each other, and the fact that the House unilaterally acted to cut all of these work projects without the input of the Senate … It's a little bit concerning. Not sure how well that bodes for a supplemental budget bill.”

Steve “Well, let's move on a little bit. So, Deena, there were some bills that came up last week that have to do with financial reporting for county commissioners.”

“A bill introduced by Rep. Donnie Steele of Oakland County, House Bill 5091, received testimony last week. What that bill does is it says is county commissioners in larger counties, so those counties that have a population of 150,000 or more, must comply with the same financial reporting requirements that state legislators have …”

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

Host: Amy Dolinky of MAC

Guest: Peter Lindeman, Michigan Department of Health and Human Services consultant

Topic: How the state of Michigan is evolving its strategy to address substance use disorder (SUD) is the focus of a new special episode of Podcast 83.

Guest host Amy Dolinky, who leads MAC’s opioid settlement advisory work, interviewed Peter Lindeman, a consultant to the state Department of Health and Human Services for the episode.

“Share with our listeners today a little bit about the big picture of what the state is looking at in terms of utilization related to all of the settlement funds coming in?”
“So, at the start of the settlements coming out, our real priority was addressing the crisis,” Lindeman replied, “and getting dollars out to community organizations, municipal partners and other groups to get naloxone in hand, expand access to harm reduction resources and build up our treatment infrastructure, so that there are places for people to go get treatment. (When state first started spending), we were constantly seeing 3,000 people a year die to overdose in Michigan.

“Now that number in 2024 was much closer to, like, 1,800, which is obviously still far too many people dying due to overdose, but a great improvement from where we saw ourselves a few years ago. …

“Our kind of overall goal (now) is still decrease that fatal overdose rate but also eliminate demographic and geographic disparities. We know that for different Michiganders, the opioid epidemic is still hitting really hard, whether that's people in very urban communities or very rural communities. …

“So, in prevention, we're really focused on delaying the average age of first use, because we know that the earlier in life someone uses illicit substances for the first time, the more likely they are to be impacted by substance use disorder later in life.”

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

Host: Samantha Gibson

Guest: Michael Healander of Airspace Link

Topic: A start-up firm based in Detroit is now working with counties and other local governments to ensure that safety comes first in airspace increasingly filled with drones.

Michael Healander of Airspace Link spoke with MAC’s Samantha Gibson in a new special episode of Podcast 83 on his firm’s work and what the challenges are ahead for county governments.

“Our primary focus is government agencies,” Healander said. “Even though we have hundreds of thousands of commercial operators that use our system. Think of us as the systems to support who's flying and the safety and security of our airspace.”

Airspace Link is a Federal Aviation Administration-approved UAS Service Supplier of the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) and is approved to provide B4UFLY Services. Airspace Link provides airspace authorizations to both Part 107 Pilots and Recreational Flyers through the AirHub Portal application.

“The county is in a unique situation. I'll give an example. Oakland County, in their drone program. They have the capabilities to have drones go out in an emergency and support search and rescue; it’s a very successful program,” Healander noted.

“So, we're seeing some counties start to say, ‘Here's a common network and platform that maybe we push down to our cities. And this is a really great opportunity for counties to take the lead, to be able to put it in a common system …”

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

Host: Jimmy Johnson of MAC

Guests: Nick Cook and Sarah Rennie of Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness

Topic: A special episode of MAC's Podcast 83 this week looks at a growing crisis in all corners of our state: homelessness.

"Since 2020, home prices, or rental prices, in Michigan have gone up over 25 percent since the pandemic," said Nick Cook of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH), "and this is leading to this exacerbated situation of homelessness. We're starting to see more families, more seniors losing their housing access."

"The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness is a statewide nonprofit that provides supports to homeless service providers, counties, communities, anyone interested in addressing and preventing homelessness," explained Sarah Rennie, Cook's colleague. "We look at this as an affordable housing, and economic development, issue, and so we represent hundreds of folks across the state who have joined together to say hey, this is an issue for our communities."

Homeless counts reached record levels in 2024, reports the National Alliance to End Homelessness in a report, adding, "More people experiencing homelessness in rural and suburban areas are unsheltered, in part due to federal cuts to rural housing programs and barriers to rural development. Still, most people experiencing homelessness live in urban areas in a handful of states due to the larger populations in these areas."

Cook and Rennie explained that county leaders and others wishing to connect constituents to resources should engage with two resources:

The local Housing Assistance Resource Advocacy (HARA)
Continuum of Care (COC)

"There is a structure in the state that there will be a housing assistance resource advocacy, specific nonprofit that's designated to sort of be the hub to take in folks who have needs, and then refer them to the correct, place," Rennie said. "So, you should find out who your HARA is, because they'll be able to sort of direct folks exactly where they need to go.

"Together with the HARA is also part of a larger network called your Continuum of Care, and all those folks meet to see how they can best use resources and serve folks, and they meet weekly. ... I would really recommend for the listeners here that you sit down with your local COC chair."

"If you could talk to any county commissioner right now about the work that you guys are doing that maybe they don't fully realize, what would you tell them?" asked the episode's host, Jimmy Johnson of MAC.

"What I would like folks to know is there's this weird stereotype that these are sort of dangerous people that are gonna get you in the streets ... These are our neighbors, these are families, these are people who have served our country. And they are all one paycheck away from needing these support services, because this is an affordable housing issue. ... We have more than 298,000 units missing of affordable housing ... So, I would want folks to know that (the coalition) is here to support you; that criminalization doesn't work; but that we can make a difference together."

See video versions of all Podcast 83 episodes on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@michiganassociationofcount2606

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The MAC Podcast's 83 team reported on a number of topics in their newest episode.

Samantha Gibson gave an update on Trial Court Funding, which saw recommendations presented to the legislature last week in a joint hearing in the Senate and House Judiciary Committee. "There's a long way to go before any of this is implemented. Bills have yet to be introduced, so plenty of negotiations to be had, and of course, that looming sunset for court authority to assess those costs is December of 2026."

Samantha also gave an update on House Bill 4749, sponsored by Rep. Roth, which would establish the 99th District Court in Antrim County. The bill was passed out of the House Judiciary Committee and now heads to the House floor for a vote.

Jimmy Johnson gave an update on SNAP Benefits, "As soon as the federal budget shutdown was ended, there was information sent over to MDHHS saying that full funding is going to be released through the Department of Agriculture."

Also discussed, the Road Funding Package and a key component being the marijuana excise tax, adding an additional 24%. There are concerns surrounding the tax, Samantha Gibson explained, "There's oral arguments in the Court of Claims on whether or not this excise tax is constitutional, is going to take place on November 25th, and of course, keep in mind that the tax will be implemented on January 1. We're coming up on the second quarter of fiscal year 26, where we're going to expect this tax to begin, and that's $420 million of road funding."

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