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Michigan Association of Counties briefs Lapeer commissioners on Lansing priorities: revenue sharing, court funding and roads
Summary
Steve Curry of the Michigan Association of Counties updated Lapeer commissioners on MAC’s 2025 legislative priorities, including a revenue-sharing lockbox, securing court funding before a 2026 fee sunset, and competing road-funding proposals.
Steve Curry, executive director of the Michigan Association of Counties, told Lapeer County commissioners the association will press legislators this session to protect county revenue sharing, pursue a permanent solution for court funding and work on road funding that increases aid to local roads.
Curry said MAC is promoting a "revenue sharing trust fund" designed as a virtual lockbox to make statutory revenue sharing harder for the legislature to appropriate away. "Last year we passed the bill out of the House 106–4," Curry said, adding that movement stalled in the Senate and that MAC will reintroduce the measure with municipal partners.
He also said work is under way to replace a short-term extension of trial-court funding fees, which currently carry a sunset date of Dec. 31, 2026. "Should those fees go away, that would cost counties about $30 million statewide," Curry said, noting MAC wants a permanent state funding solution for courts before the 2026 election cycle.
On roads, Curry summarized competing proposals: a House plan that redirects existing fuel sales-tax revenue toward roads without new revenue, and a governor-backed plan that may rely on new revenue mechanisms. He said early analysis shows significant dollars in the House plan flowing to county roads, and MAC will work with legislators to shape any final package.
Curry’s presentation also covered MAC’s services, advocacy and events calendar, and a preview of committee and PAC activity for the 2025 legislative session. Commissioners asked about ballot measures and potential threats to property-tax funding; Curry said a recent campaign to eliminate property taxes failed to gather signatures but remains a risk.
Why it mattered: The presentation flagged state-level policy proposals that could materially affect county budgets, service levels and future county lobbying needs.
Ending: Curry encouraged commissioners to participate in MAC’s conferences and regional committees and to expect follow-up materials and bill numbers when MAC reintroduces priority legislation.
