Gov. Gretchen Whitmer admin ‘contingency’ planning for potential Michigan government shutdown

Michigan officials have “begun contingency planning” for a government shutdown if lawmakers don’t finish a budget by Oct. 1
Should a shutdown occur, essential duties like public safety would continue but other services, like park operations, may be disrupted
Michigan last had a budget shutdowns in 2007 and 2009 – the last time the state had a divided Legislature – which only lasted a few hours

LANSING — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration is beginning “contingency” planning for a potential state government shutdown that would be triggered automatically if the Legislature and governor are unable to finalize a budget by month’s end.

The Republican-led House, Democratic-led Senate and Whitmer must strike a deal on a balanced budget by Oct. 1 under the state Constitution.

But with Whitmer now out of the country on a trade mission and legislative leaders sparring over competing spending plans — and how to find an extra $3 billion to fix Michigan’s crumbling roads — officials have acknowledged the threat of a shutdown is real.

“We remain optimistic” that a budget deal can be reached by Oct. 1, said Lauren Leeds, communications director for the State Budget Office. “With that deadline being less than a month away, however, we have begun contingency planning so that we are prepared for all scenarios.”

Michigan last had government shutdowns in 2007 and 2009 — also the last time Michigan had a divided Legislature. They only lasted hours, occurred in the early hours of the morning and were resolved shortly thereafter.

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A prolonged shutdown could have a more significant effect on government operations and the roughly 50,000 state workers.

Essential operations — including the Michigan State Police and officers working with the Michigan Department of Corrections — would likely continue operating as usual in the immediate hours following a shutdown.

State parks and Secretary of State branches could be closed or have limited hours, however, among other things.

This year’s ongoing budget impasse has lasted months. While House Speaker Matt Hall and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks met last week, Hall subsequently told reporters “We are not getting anywhere.”

Contradicting claims from some fellow Republicans, Hall said Whitmer’s trade mission to Asia shouldn’t be a roadblock to getting a deal done.

“If she’s in Japan, I expect that her and I will talk a lot while she’s there too,” Hall said. “No matter where she is, her and I talk very frequently.”

House officials have proposed a $78.5 billion budget, Senate officials an $84.5 billion budget and Whitmer an $84 billion budget.

Cuts to the Senate’s proposal, however, would be needed after a nonpartisan economic analysis earlier indicated the federal government’s new “big, beautiful” law will blow a roughly $1.1 billion hole in the state budget next year.

“We will continue working diligently in the weeks ahead to negotiate and pass a balanced, bipartisan budget that prioritizes fixing our roads and ensures anyone can make it in Michigan,” Leeds added.