Michigan Senate unanimously backs Revenue Sharing Trust Fund bills, FY27 budget
In a decisive and bipartisan move, the Michigan Senate this week unanimously passed landmark legislation creating a long-sought trust fund for statutory revenue sharing. The bills were approved in tandem with the Senate’s fiscal 2027 budget, signaling a strong commitment to prioritizing sustainable funding for local governments.
Senate Bill 559, by Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Oakland), SB 561, by Sen. John Cherry (D-Genesee), and SB 912, by Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Macomb), will establish a Revenue Sharing Trust Fund that gets 8.9 percent of collections from 4 percentage points of the state’s sales tax. The structure ensures revenue sharing will grow in line with state revenues.
The trust fund legislation was tie-barred to the Senate’s $63 billion FY27 budget, underscoring its importance within the broader fiscal framework. By linking the two, the Senate has sent a clear message: securing long-term, reliable revenue sharing is central to its budget priorities.
The budget itself reflects a significant increase from the FY26 budget and includes targeted investments in public safety and local government support. Notably, it allocates $20 million in General Fund dollars for Local Prosecutor Support Grants and an additional $5.3 million to assist prosecutors who experienced reductions in prior funding cycles.
While the budget passed without incorporating proposed “sin taxes” on items such as vaping products, online gaming and digital advertising, it does rely on the state’s “Rainy Day Fund” to help offset new financial obligations stemming from federal reforms.
Importantly, early indications suggest the House is receptive to the trust fund legislation. A similar proposal passed the House last legislative session with overwhelming bipartisan support.
The creation of a trust fund has been a top MAC priority for years, as statutory revenue sharing payments from the typical state budget process have historically lagged overall state revenue growth.
With unanimous Senate approval now secured and positive signals from the House, we are closer than ever to establishing a reliable, long-term revenue sharing system for counties.
For more information on this issue, contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.
House GOP plan on property taxes gets first hearing; county concerns are numerous
A sweeping Republican-led property tax proposal received its first public hearing this week in the Michigan House Government Operations Committee, outlining a $5 billion tax reduction plan that would significantly reshape how local governments are funded.
The 10-bill package, along with House Joint Resolution T, proposes a series of major changes to Michigan’s tax structure. Among the most notable provisions are the elimination of the 6-mill State Education Tax (SET), a prohibition on the “uncapping” of property taxes when a property is sold, the full repeal of the Personal Property Tax and the elimination of the state’s portion of the Real Estate Transfer Tax.
Taken together, the measures represent one of the most aggressive attempts in recent years to revamp state taxation. However, the proposal also raises significant questions about how the state would replace the billions in lost revenue — particularly for schools and local governments.
Notably absent this week was any discussion of a “luxury tax” concept that had been suggested as a potential offset for lost revenue. No votes were taken during the committee hearing, but Speaker Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo) has made clear the property tax package will play a central role in ongoing budget negotiations.
MAC is opposed to two core elements of the plan: the ban on uncapping taxable value when property changes ownership and the elimination of the Personal Property Tax.
Under current law, a property’s taxable value is “uncapped” and reset to its full market value upon sale, allowing local governments to capture growth in property values over time. Eliminating this mechanism would significantly limit revenue growth for counties and other local units, even as property values increase.
Similarly, while the Personal Property Tax has been reduced in recent years through targeted reforms, its full elimination would remove another key revenue source for locals.
Without a dedicated funding source to reimburse counties that’s immune from legislative meddling and provides significant growth, MAC will remain opposed to the plan.
For more information on this issue, contact Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.
 Sen. Aric Nesbit makes a point during the Legislative Roundtable on April 29. |
 The conference drew about 300 people to the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Lansing |
 Rep. Matthew Bierlein (second from right) is presented his County Advocate Award. |
Legislative roundtable, podcast taping mark 2026 Legislative Conference
A “historic” MAC event and a lively legislative roundtable were among the highlights this week at the 2026 Michigan Counties Legislative Conference in Lansing.
MAC President Antoinette Wallace served as master of ceremonies for the conference, which drew about 300 people to the DoubleTree Hotel for three days of policy presentations and networking.
Click here to see a photo gallery of the conference.
“It’s two days later and all I have heard from members is positive remarks about this year’s sessions,” said Stephan Currie, MAC executive director. “Many hours of preparation by the MAC team clearly paid off.”
Currie’s conference duties included hosting a first-ever live taping of MAC’s Podcast 83 before a conference audience on April 28 (see details in item below). He also held a “policy chat” with Wayne County’s Alisha Bell about her work as second vice president of the National Association of Counties.
On the final day of the event, MAC presented its 2026 County Advocate Award to Rep. Matthew Bierlein of Tuscola County, himself a former MAC president. Then came an often-spirited discussion among Reps. John Fitzgerald and Rachelle Smit and Sens. Aric Nesbitt and Darrin Camilleri.
“We appreciate the participation of legislators this year, including the many who were able to attend our Legislative Reception on April 28 for networking with their commissioner constituents,” Currie said.
Resources from the conference can be found on MAC’s website. The next major MAC event is the Annual Conference, slated for Sept. 9-11 at the Grand Traverse Resort in Grand Traverse County. For conference schedule details, visit the MAC Events Page.
Podcast 83 team discusses revenue sharing, property taxes before live conference audience on April 28
MAC’s Podcast 83 made a bit of history this week, taping a new episode before a live audience at the 2026 Legislative Conference in Lansing on April 28.
Host Stephan Currie and panelists Deena Bosworth and Jimmy Johnson were introduced by MAC President Antoinette Wallace before they dove into a sweeping review of a legislative session now engrossed in budget work.
“The House, just last week, recommended a $19.5 million increase for county statutory revenue sharing, which is great,” Bosworth shared with a pleased audience.
“The Senate, on the other hand, is taking a very different approach,” she continued. “What they’re doing is saying another year of flat statutory revenue sharing for counties, but they are going to pass out the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund policy bills. So (we are) excited about that since it’s been our no. 1 policy priority and budget priority for many sessions running now!
“We saw activity in the Senate Appropriations Committee on those bills last week, and I’m happy to say it was a unanimous vote, both parties were unanimous to get it out of committee. I anticipate those bills to be up (in the full Senate later in the week of April 27) and be passed over to the house. (The legislation) passed out of the House overwhelmingly last session. So, theoretically, we should be in good shape, but you never know. …
“And the importance for that is this ties our statutory revenue sharing to the revenue that the state takes in via the state sales tax. So, if the state sales tax goes up, our revenue sharing goes up, because we’ve seen, far too often, our revenue sharing cut at the last minute in that conference committee and diverted to other priorities. And it’s not anything that you guys can rely on for growth. This will protect those funds in a trust fund, and then it can only be expended for that purpose.”
Currie pivoted the conversation to an even more vital source of county funding ― property taxes: “There have been a couple property tax packages introduced. The governor introduced one, which was a property tax break for seniors. The House has a property tax package now that does a whole bunch of different things. So why don’t you talk a little bit about the property tax packages out there?”
“The governor had recommended in her budget a property tax cut for seniors that would amount to, you know, maybe about $300 per year for seniors, which is great,” Bosworth replied. “But it is based on eligibility. The House, on the other hand, just a couple of weeks ago, dropped a larger package of property tax reform bills, and Speaker (Matt Hall) has been very vocal about his intent to tackle property taxes … In his package, he primarily focuses on the state portion of property taxes, so that 6 mill State Education Tax that everyone pays on your property tax bill, he’s talking about eliminating it. He’s talking about eliminating the state portion of the Real Estate Transfer Tax. … And then he’s talking about eliminating all Personal Property Tax on equipment. That is going to be a chunk of change for everyone in this room, for your county budgets.”
For more on property taxes and other issues from this episode, click here or on the image above.
NACo releases opioid settlement quick guide on competitive RFP processes for distributing opioid settlement funds
MAC’s opioid settlement adviser, Amy Dolinky, speaks with a MAC member during the Legislative Conference this week. Dolinky and colleague Dan Kelly staffed a help desk for members to field opioid funding questions.
The National Association of Counties, in partnership with Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, released The Principles Quick Guide to Competitive RFP Processes for Distributing Opioid Settlement Funds. This quick guide is one of many released to assist local governments in implementing The Principle for Use of Funds From the Opioid Litigation, national guidance around the use of funds.
The guide emphasizes that a competitive Request for Proposals (RFP) process is a key strategy for promoting transparency, accountability, and innovation in funding decisions. It provides local governments with a structured, step-by-step approach to ensure funds are allocated based on community need and evidence-informed solutions.
The seven-step process begins with developing a strategic plan grounded in data and recent needs assessments, ensuring that settlement funds supplement existing investments. Next, counties should align funding opportunities with clearly defined priorities across the continuum of care, including prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery supports in various settings.
Once priorities are established, jurisdictions should design and issue an RFP that clearly outlines eligibility, funding priorities, evaluation criteria, and reporting expectations. This enables a wide range of qualified applicants to compete and propose data-driven, locally responsive solutions. Local governments then can focus on reviewing and selecting proposals through a transparent and structured evaluation process, ensuring alignment with community needs and desired outcomes. Finally, the guide underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring and evaluation by establishing clear performance indicators, requiring consistent reporting, and using data to assess impact and refine funding strategies over time.
Overall, the guide reinforces that a well-designed competitive RFP process not only improves the quality and impact of funded programs but also builds public trust by making decision-making processes clear, inclusive, and accountable.
For more information or for assistance utilizing “The Principles for Use of Funds From the Opioid Litigation” in your county, contact Amy Dolinky at dolinky@micounties.org.
Former Marquette County commissioner passes
Stephen Adamini, a longtime public servant who had recently resigned from the Marquette County Board of Commissioners, passed away on April 29.
Prior to resigning in March due to health concerns, Adamini had represented Marquette’s District 3. He also had served in the Michigan House of Representatives, having first been elected to that chamber in 2000.
He was born in Marquette, graduated from Negaunee High School and earned undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan.
MAC extends its condolences to Adamini’s family, friends and Marquette County colleagues.
Kent County uses playful video to tout work of its 2,100 employees
To mark National County Government Month this year, Kent County posted a short and playful video to help illustrate the myriad ways that county employees contribute to quality of life.
“We’re proud to serve and be part of this incredible community, Kent County! With more than 2,100 employees across 23 departments and offices – alongside the support of our 21 county commissioners, committee members, and dedicated volunteers – our team works every day to provide essential services and strengthen the place we all call home. From public health and safety to parks, infrastructure, and community support programs, it’s a privilege to serve our residents and help our community thrive,” the county said in its post.
Thursday marked the conclusion of the 2026 edition of #NCGM across Michigan and the nation.
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- How to attract birds to your birdhouse (and actually get them to move in) (Country Living)