County leaders across Michigan are being urged to put pressure on their state lawmakers to end the political stalemate in Lansing.
Speaking at a Thursday meeting, Berrien County Commissioner Dave Vollrath said he attended a meeting of the Michigan Association of Counties, or MAC, last week and heard from its government affairs director about the latest in Lansing.
“She didn’t have to say anything because nothing’s going on up there,” Vollrath said. “Last meeting we had up there in June, there were five bills passed for the whole year. They passed three more now, so there’s eight for this 2025 year. Normally, there’s over 300 this time of year.”
Vollrath said the MAC is especially concerned about the budget impasse, noting the House plan could cut just about everything for counties.
“Everything’s going to get cut down except for the Veteran Affairs. Pretty much what they’re doing with with everything is very unacceptable. And she stresses the need for letters and calls and get to these people to tell them it’s not acceptable…They have to take care of business.”
Vollrath said the state’s 800-plus county commissioners are being asked to reach out to their representatives and ask that they at least work together on a few things.
Vollrath called the report from MAC “disturbing” to hear when local leaders are trying everything they can to stay afloat.
