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Michigan Association of Counties director outlines revenue‑sharing, court funding and roads priorities
Summary
Steve Curry, executive director of the Michigan Association of Counties, briefed commissioners on MAC services and legislative priorities including revenue sharing increases, a court‑funding sunset, 1115 reentry waiver work, and proposals to shift gas tax revenue to roads.
Steve Curry, executive director of the Michigan Association of Counties, briefed the Alpena County Board of Commissioners on MAC’s role, services and the association’s 2024–25 legislative priorities in Lansing and Washington.
Why it matters: MAC lobbies for county interests, provides educational programs and services, and tracks legislation that affects county revenue and responsibilities. Curry outlined items that could affect Alpena County’s budget and county services.
Key points from the presentation - Revenue sharing: MAC supported a large increase in county revenue sharing in the previous budget cycle; Curry cited a $3.23 billion increase statewide and said MAC will continue to press for a revenue‑sharing trust fund and related bills in the current session. - Trial court funding sunset: Curry said a statutory fee sunset tied to trial court funding is scheduled to expire in 2026. If not extended or reformed, he said counties could face roughly $30 million in lost court cost revenue statewide; MAC will look for legislative reform or another extension. - Health and human services: MAC is working with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and local partners on a federal 1115 reentry waiver to preserve pre‑arrest health coverage for people held in county jails awaiting trial so counties are not left with emergency care costs. - Roads and taxes: Curry summarized House proposals that would replace sales tax on gasoline with a revenue‑neutral gas tax and shift corporate tax revenues to support roads; he said those changes could pressure local general funds and that MAC will advocate for county road funding. - Other items: Curry reviewed MAC services such as cooperative purchasing (CoPro Plus), a student loan forgiveness tool (Savvy) and MACPAC political activity supporting former county commissioners in the legislature.
Ending Curry asked commissioners to participate in MAC committees and upcoming conferences. He encouraged counties to monitor the court‑funding sunset and revenue‑sharing legislation as the 2026 session approaches.
