Lawmakers hear case for statewide water-assistance fund; advocates ask for $60 million in FY26

During a meeting of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Human Services, presenters said Michigan faces widespread water-affordability problems and asked lawmakers to include $60 million in the fiscal 2026 health and human services budget to help fund a proposed statewide water-assistance program.

The request was presented by Sarah Rubino of the Michigan section of the American Water Works Association and Maggie Palone of Public Sector Consultants, who reviewed statewide data on household water burden. Jasmine Carson of Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency and Deborah Pospeach, working with Detroit Water and Sewerage Department stakeholders, described program administration and policy details that appear in draft legislation now before the Legislature.

Rubino, representing roughly 2,300 water professionals in Michigan, said local water systems “are supported by the service seat fees and rates that they charge to customers” and argued a permanent statewide assistance program would help stabilize both household budgets and utility finances. “Until a permanent statewide solution is established, we're respectfully requesting that the subcommittee include 60,000,000 in the fiscal year 20 26 health and human services budget to…