Congress passes short-term funding bill: OMB Uniform Guidance rule delayed through Dec. 11
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the U.S. Senate’s Continuing Resolution (CR/H.R. 6500), funding the federal government through Dec.11, 2026. The bill now heads to the president’s desk for signature. This averts a government shutdown and includes several provisions that directly protect county interests.
Most importantly, the legislation delays the OMB Uniform Guidance Rule (Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) proposed rewrite of 2 CFR Part 200 (Uniform Guidance)) until Dec.11, 2026, aligning with the government funding deadline and giving counties more time to weigh in. MAC and NACo have been reporting on this issue all summer and will continue to outline county concerns and impacts to federal officials.
Other funding provisions
- SNAP: Continues Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding at current program levels and provides a 30-day grace period for mandatory payments.
- Homelessness assistance: Extends availability of homelessness assistance grant funding, including Continuum of Care and Emergency Solutions Grant funding through FY 2027.
- FEMA Disaster Relief Fund: Allows for necessary spending to keep the Disaster Relief Fund operational.
- National Flood Insurance Program: Extends NFIP authorization through Dec.11, 2026.
- Census: Allows for necessary spending for the Census Bureau to continue preparations for the 2030 Census.
Notably, the CR does not extend advance appropriations under Division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Without new appropriations action, overall transportation funding would be significantly cut. MAC and NACo will continue to advocate for a fix as Congress works on FY 2027 appropriations and surface transportation reauthorization.
With government funding and several of these provisions now set to expire on Dec.11, 2026, MAC and NACo will continue to monitor developments closely and mobilize members as needed.
For more information on this issue, contact MAC’s Deena Bosworth at bosworth@micounties.org.
New road distribution includes $100 million for counties
County accounts will receive an extra $100 million in funds from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) via the first Neighborhood Roads Fund (NRF) payment.
Counties should expect three monthly NRF payments in September, October and November, in addition to their regular monthly Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF) payments.
The new NRF was created in 2025 as part of the Legislature’s road funding package. Its resources include proceeds from the Corporate Income Tax and a new 24 percent marijuana wholesale tax.
The first distribution is lower than MDOT’s earlier estimates, however, largely because the new marijuana wholesale tax is generating less revenue than originally projected.
Nevertheless, the first NRF distribution represents a significant new investment in local roads: $73.8 million for county primary roads and $27.5 million for county local roads.
For more information on this issue, contact Davis Grimm at grimm@micounties.org.
Podcast 83 explores impact of minimum wage changes on mental health services
MAC’s Podcast 83 hosted staff from Premier Partner Rehmann to discuss how Michigan’s changing minimum wage could affect mental health services in a new episode.
“The minimum wage is changing in 2027,” noted host Stephan Currie. “So, tell us a little bit about what’s happening, why it matters to counties, and what they should be maybe doing to prepare for that.”
“There was a judgment, finally, about 2 years ago,” said Richard Carpenter, Rehmann’s director of public sector industries, “that the minimum wage that was passed and repealed a few years ago was required to go into place. What we’re starting to see is those minimum wage adjustments. We saw the first big one in February of 2025. We saw another minimum wage adjustment in January of 2026, and then our next scheduled adjustment is in January of 2027.
“And over that course of time, the minimum wage has really gone from about $10 to be settling in at $15 an hour on Jan. 1,” he continued. “And the issue that we want to bring to people’s attention is the consideration of what does that look like from a budgetary perspective?
“What we’re seeing, is community mental health is impacted by this, because there are services that community mental health entities provide in people’s homes, whose costs tend to sit right about, or just slightly above, the minimum wage, so as that moves, you know, that cost is going to move as well.
“The state has acknowledged that to some extent. There was a total of $351 million in the state budget that was identified for minimum wage. About $70 million of that is related to the January 1st increase that we’re anticipating. The question is, is that enough?”
To learn more about that question and other details, watch the full episode, recorded in mid-August, by clicking here or on the image above.
Consumers Energy Foundation offers community grants
The Consumers Energy Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2026 Community Impact Awards. The Community Impact Award Program will provide grants of up to $20,000 per project, with a total of $500,000 available for funding. The program supports community-led projects that address a demonstrated need and deliver clear community benefit, measurable outcomes and local collaboration.
The Consumers Energy Foundation is seeking applications from eligible nonprofits, municipalities and federally recognized Tribal Governments projects that:
- Address a demonstrated community need
- Align with one or more Foundation focus areas: People, Planet or Prosperity
- Address a demonstrated community need with a clearly defined project plan
- Create visible and meaningful improvements that benefit the community
- Engage residents and promote community involvement
- Collaborate with other local organizations to enhance project impact
Applications are available here: 2026 Community Impact Award Application Link.
The deadline to submit an application is 5 p.m. on Sept. 15, 2026. Eligible nonprofit applicants must have annual revenue of $500,000 or less based on their most recently completed fiscal year.
The Consumers Energy Foundation is the charitable arm of Consumers Energy.
MAC sets schedule for conference week
MAC’s Lansing offices will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7 to observe the Labor Day holiday.
The offices also will be closed Sept. 9-11 as MAC staffers will be working at the 2026 Annual Conference in Grand Traverse County on those days.
Normal office hours resume at 8 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 14.
Legislative Update will not be sent on Sept. 11. The next edition of the update will be on Friday, Sept. 18.
As always, for the most recent county-related news, check MAC’s website.
Staff picks
- Collapsed building, tree on house: Damage stacks up after severe storms hit Michigan (MLive)
- DTE Energy Outage Center (DTE)
- Consumers Energy Outage Center (Consumers Energy)
- U.S. Power Outage Map (Poweroutage.us)