The Town Hall meeting with Representative Joey Andrews in Benton Harbor on September 30, 2025, focused on the ongoing budget negotiations in Michigan, highlighting significant concerns regarding education funding and the potential for a government shutdown.

During the meeting, Andrews discussed the unusual nature of this year's budget negotiations, noting that the House Republicans had delayed their proposals until late in the process, which created a sense of urgency as the October 1 deadline approached. He emphasized the importance of having a budget finalized by this date to avoid disruptions in funding for schools and local governments. Andrews expressed frustration over the lack of timely proposals from the Republicans, which he described as a "nightmare" for fiscal planning.

A key point of discussion was the education budget, with Andrews reassuring attendees that essential programs, such as school breakfast and lunch initiatives, were expected to remain intact. He indicated that while the overall budget might see cuts, particularly in economic development and unfilled job positions, there was hope for a small per-pupil funding increase. However, he cautioned that many details were still unclear, and the final budget would need careful scrutiny to ensure that critical services were not compromised.

The meeting also featured input from local education leaders, including the new superintendent of Benton Harbor Area Schools, who expressed concerns about maintaining support for various educational programs. Andrews acknowledged the importance of these programs and committed to advocating for their preservation as budget discussions continued.

As the deadline loomed, Andrews and the attendees expressed a collective desire to avoid a government shutdown, which could have severe consequences for public services and education funding. The meeting concluded with a call for collaboration and support from the community to ensure that Benton Harbor schools receive the necessary resources to thrive.