Name: Rep. Nancy Jenkins-Arno
District/Counties: House District 34/Lenawee
Committees: Joint Capital Outlay Committee, Chair; House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity, Chair; House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and Department of Education (Vice Chair); House Appropriations Committee; House Appropriation Subcommittee on Higher Education and Community Colleges
Previous public service: Lenawee County Commissioner
What is the most pressing issue facing Michigan?
There are many pressing issues that are facing the state. One of them is the condition of our roads. I was proud to support the recently passed 2026 budget that set aside almost $2 billion in road funding. This has been a difficult issue to address for many years, but redirecting money in the budget to fund roads was a necessary step and the right thing to do for our state.
Based on your experience, how important are counties to the effective delivery of public services?
Counties are essential to ensuring that state policies are enacted at the local level. It is important that the state and counties work together for the betterment of Michigan as a whole. We want to make sure they have the best tools available to make sure local government runs smoothly.
How do you feel your experience as a county commissioner impacts your policy decisions in the Legislature?
Having the experience of being a county commissioner has given me a deeper understanding of the state-county relationship. In order for the state to function properly both the state and the counties must work well together. Policies that support that relationship are critical.
What are you hoping to accomplish throughout the remainder of this term?
As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to work towards a more streamlined budget that will eliminate unnecessary spending so that essential services can be fully funded.
As you know, counties rely heavily on the Legislature to appropriate revenue sharing funds. How important do you think it is to tie revenue sharing to growth in the state sales tax, as laid out in the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund legislation?
I believe that local governments should have all they can at their fingertips so that they can do the best job for the people they serve. Our budget addresses that. Of course, I would be open to hearing more from them on what their needs are. That way we can make sure their most dire needs are addressed.