Governor Whitmer’s Budget Fixes the Damn (State AND Local) Roads

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 13, 2025

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Governor Whitmer's Budget Fixes the Damn (State AND Local) Roads

Bipartisan budget will invest nearly $2B annually to fix state and local roads, keep drivers safe, save families time and money, create thousands of jobs, ensure every penny at the pump goes to the roads

LANSING, Mich. - Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer highlighted the balanced, bipartisan FY26 budget's record investment to fix the damn roads. By securing a sustainable, long-term investment of nearly $2 billion a year into Michigan's state and local roads, the FY26 budget will improve people's daily drives for decades, keep Michiganders safe on the road, save families time and money, ensure every penny paid at the pump goes towards fixing or rebuilding the roads, and protect thousands of good-paying construction jobs statewide. The budget will also improve public transit and rail grade separation statewide, making commutes faster and safer.

"I ran on fixing the damn roads, and I'm proud to keep my promise and get it done," said Governor Whitmer. "This year's balanced, bipartisan budget makes a record, nearly $2 billion annual investment to fix our state and local roads, which will make everyone's drive safer and faster. We're getting this done by ensuring every penny you pay at the pump goes towards our roads. I'm so grateful to legislators on both sides of the aisle for coming together to get this done so we can build reliable roads that last for decades while supporting tens of thousands of good-paying local jobs. We have a lot of work to do, so let's move some dirt and fix those damn roads!"

"Our number one job is to make Michiganders' lives easier," said Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II. "Our seventh balanced, bipartisan budget delivers by making the largest investment to fix our roads in Michigan history. Not only will this nearly $2 billion annual investment keep Michiganders safe, it will also support thousands of good-paying, local construction jobs across the state. Together, we can keep growing Michigan's economy and making commutes smoother and safer. Governor Whitmer and I are grateful for our legislative partners, and we will continue working with anyone to build a state where everyone can thrive."

This is the biggest roads deal in history, and it is a very big deal for Michigan's future," said Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township). "We eliminated waste, fraud and abuse in the budget and made smart reforms to make sure the money went to our top priorities. Our plan finally ensures every penny you pay at the pump goes to road funding, something people have demanded for years. And it sends that money to the local roads and bridges in our neighborhoods, instead of just state highways. Those reforms will make our roads smoother and make life better for the people of Michigan.

"While this budget cycle featured unprecedented challenges, it also provided us the opportunity to show the rest of the country what leadership can look like in divisive political times," said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids). "The result: a bipartisan budget that fixes our roads, strengthens public schools, protects health care access, and insulates us from some of the toughest federal cuts. Michiganders and their communities stand to benefit both immediately and into the future because of groundwork we are laying today."

"This road funding plan ensures Michigan can keep investing in safe and reliable infrastructure in communities all across the state," said State Budget Director Jen Flood. "The budget signed by Governor Whitmer establishes sustainable funding that will keep Michigan's economy growing and drivers across our state safe."

Legislator Quotes

"House Democrats came to the negotiating table months ago ready to work and get a budget done--but we were also clear that Michigan schools, healthcare, and public safety were not going to be on the chopping block," said House Democratic Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton). "Michigan Democrats worked together to protect those key areas of the budget, and as a result we protected universal free meals and Medicaid, raised state trooper pay and increased Public Safety Revenue Sharing, and did so while developing a long-term road funding plan. This bipartisan, balanced budget was the result of months of work, but the fight continues now to ensure every person in this state has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive."

"The people of Michigan deserve a budget that prioritizes their well-being and economic prosperity, especially in the midst of political chaos we too often see coming from Washington DC." said state Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee. "This budget shows we can come together across party lines to fix today's real problems - from fixing local roads and bridges, to protecting the social safety net, this budget keeps our state moving forward while keeping our people front and center."

"This budget represents our joint priorities with record investments in education; support for our law enforcement; putting Michigan families first; and fixing the damn roads," said state Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton Township), Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. "I am grateful for the collaboration and bipartisan effort to deliver a budget that is fiscally responsible and responsive to the needs of people and businesses across Michigan."

"Every community deserves safe, reliable infrastructure they can count on," said state Senator Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation. "While we've been focused on building up state roads in recent years, our local roads haven't gotten the full attention they deserve. With this ongoing annual investment, we are working to ensure that all our roads - from major highways to neighborhood streets - are being maintained."

"As a former county commissioner, I understand the importance of ensuring roads are safe and maintained," said state Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek), sponsor of HB 4181. "This roads plan accomplishes this and wouldn't be possible without the teamwork of House Republicans, Senate Democrats, and the Governor's office. We were able to put aside our differences to ensure our roads are finally fixed from the driveway to the highway."

"For many years, we have struggled to provide the funding necessary to properly repair and upgrade our local roads," said state Rep. Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland), sponsor of HB 4182. "I am pleased we were finally able to come together to pass a plan which will give our local road agencies more ongoing funding to push the accelerator on repairing roads from the driveway to the highway."

"There are no red or blue roads. This bipartisan plan is a win for all Michiganders," said state Rep. Tom Kunse (R-Clare), sponsor of HB 4183. "Potholes don't care who you voted for. When we work together, Michigan moves forward - one mile at a time."

"I'm extremely proud that we have gotten road funding across the finish line," said state Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills), sponsor of HB 4951. "My office has been exploring various road funding solutions for a long time, and it has been an honor to play a role in this process. From potholes to passing lanes, and bridges to boulevards, I look forward to seeing the nearly $2 billion go toward making travel in our communities safer, smoother, and more efficient."

"Fixing Michigan's roads has been my top priority in the Legislature," said state Rep. Pat Outman (R-Six Lakes). This agreement is a hard-fought, bipartisan, and historic step forward that finally delivers the investment our local roads and bridges have needed for decades, while also saving thousands of good-paying construction jobs in Michigan. It's a big win for families across our state, and it proves that when we work together, we can get Michigan moving forward again."

"This budget is about saving people time and money, and making sure Michigan works for everyone. We secured the largest investment in public transit in state history - $160 million - alongside record funding for local roads to make travel safer, faster, and more reliable," said state Rep. Jason Morgan (D-Ann Arbor). "We are rebuilding our infrastructure, saving good-paying jobs, and finally advancing passenger rail throughout our state. I'm proud to have fought alongside Governor Whitmer and my legislative colleagues for these generational investments in Michigan's future."

Budget Bills Signed to Fix the Damn Roads

HB 4180, sponsored by Rep. Donnie Steele (R-Orion)

HB 4181, sponsored by Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Battle Creek)

HB 4182, sponsored by Rep. Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland)

HB 4183, sponsored by Rep. Tom Kunse (R-Clare)

HB 4951, sponsored by Rep. Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills)

HB 4961, sponsored by Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton)

SB 578, sponsored by Sen. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe)

Stakeholder Quote

"Together with our partners in the legislature and Governor Whitmer, we are investing in the infrastructure and assets that will move the State of Michigan forward," said Mark Hackel, Macomb County Executive. "With a new, sustained pool of funding, we will enhance our efforts to fix local roads. This is a major accomplishment and will make the drive to work or back home smoother and safer for the people of Macomb County."

"We see this budget as the start-not the finish-of the investment our roads and bridges deserve," said Douglas W. Stockwell, Business Manager and General Vice President of Operating Engineers 324 . "It accomplishes two essential but long-overdue goals: it ensures that money collected at the pump is used as intended and establishes a sustainable, long-term funding plan. For the 15,000 members of Operating Engineers 324 who build, operate, and maintain Michigan's infrastructure every day, that commitment means stability and continued progress. Directing funds from the pump to the pavement is a major step forward for our members and for Michigan drivers."

"This historic, long-term road funding agreement is a game-changer for Michigan," said Rob Coppersmith, Executive Vice President of the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association. "After decades of short-term fixes and inaction, this budget delivers real, sustainable investment that will repair and rebuild our roads, save good-paying jobs, and strengthen Michigan's economy. We're grateful for the leadership of Governor Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, and House Speaker Matt Hall in getting this done. This is a major step forward, but our work isn't over. We must continue building on this momentum to ensure Michigan's roads remain safe, reliable, and well-maintained for decades to come."

"The Governor, Speaker and Majority Leader as well as the legislative chambers put together a creative, multi-faceted road funding package that specifically addresses our local roads and bridges," said Denise Donohue, CEO of Michigan County Road Associaton. "Michigan drivers are big winners with this package! They will soon begin to see improved bridges and roads, ultimately leading to fewer vehicle repairs and safer driving conditions. And by replacing the sales tax on gas - where Michigan was an outlier among other states - and replacing it with gas tax Constitutionally-dedicated to roads, we now have all state taxes paid at the pump going to roads. These are big wins for the Michigan."

"The bipartisan, forward looking, state budget that the legislature passed and the Governor has signed delivers real results for Michiganders," said Brent Pilarski, Business Manager, Michigan Laborers District Council (LiUNA MI). "Investing an additional nearly $2 billion annually in sustainable long-term road funding creates economic security for business expansion and careers in the construction industry. This budget demonstrates commitment to funding Michigan's infrastructure and keeping skilled building tradesman employed in Michigan for decades to come."

Fixing Michigan's Roads

The budget secures long-term funding to rebuild Michigan's state and local roads, bridges, and transit with a nearly $2 billion annual investment and with future adjustments designed to keep pace with Michigan's evolving infrastructure needs:

• Nearly $2 billion for improving state and local roads when fully implemented over the next four years. This includes

• $100 million to repair and replace local bridges.

• $100 million for public transit, including new transformational projects and local bus operations.

• $40 million for rail grade separation projects to improve safety and reduce traffic congestion.

By the end of this construction season, Michigan will have repaired over 24,500 lane miles of road and 1,900 bridges since Governor Whitmer took office, creating and supporting tens of thousands of good-paying jobs.

A Sustainable Road Funding Plan

The long-term road funding package protects funding for schools and other essential services while ensuring resources are available to fund roads, transportation, and infrastructure:

• $1 billion per fiscal year from a sales tax and motor fuel tax swap that begins on Jan. 1, 2026, and dedicates all taxes paid at the pump for state and local roads, without increasing costs for motorists.

• Dedicates $420 million to roads from revenue generated from a tax on the marijuana industry.

• Shifts $600 million from the Individual Income Tax to the Corporate Income Tax, protecting the general fund and providing a reliable base for transportation funding.

• Phases in an additional $440 million ($88 million annually) from corporate income tax growth to sustain infrastructure investments long term.

Fixing the Damn Roads in Michigan

Since Governor Whitmer took office through the end of this year's construction season, Michigan will have repaired over 23,000 lane miles of road and 1,600 bridges, supporting over 188,000 good-paying jobs. Over the last seven years, the Governor and the Legislature have worked together to deliver seven balanced, bipartisan budgets investing more than $31 billion to fix Michigan's roads and bridges, more than the previous eight years combined. These investments have been paired with actions to train thousands of workers for high-wage jobs, including in the construction industry.

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