Simply put, advocacy is the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal.

United Way partners with programs, community leaders, government officials, and legislators across our regional community and the state to advocate for efforts and policies that create positive systemic changes in our impact areas of Youth Opportunity, Healthy Communities, Financial Security and Community Resiliency. United Way is uniquely positioned to advocate for change because:

  • We have diverse partners and relationships that span the public and private sectors.
  • We have a network of United Ways across Michigan and the country that provide support, best practices, and strength in numbers.
  • We can share what we have learned from our work and for what we have heard and learned from our regional community.
  • United Way also seeks to empower others to advocate on behalf of the causes and issues that matter to them.
Michigan State Capitol building against a blue sky

Analysis of Gov. Whitmer's FY27 Budget

Governor Gretchen Whitmer's FY '26-'27 Executive Budget Recommendation was presented to a joint meeting of the Michigan Senate and House Appropriations Committees.

The $88.1 billion budget ($13.6 billion General Fund) includes limited tax relief, some tax and fee increase requests, a pull from reserves and limited new spending, mostly targeted at education programs. The new revenue would come from new or increased taxes levied on tobacco, vaping devices, digital advertising and changes to the online gaming tax structure.

There are new requirements outlined by the federal government regarding Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program work requirements, twice-yearly redeterminations for Medicaid and an increase in the cost share for SNAP from 50% to 75%--all at an estimated cost of $186.6 million.

Click below to see highlights in the governor's budget proposal that align with UWSCMI policy and budget priorities, and learn how your voice can make a difference.

BUDGET PROPOSAL HIGHLIGHTS

OUR POLICY PRIORITIES

Safety Net

ACCESSING TRANSITIONAL AND STABLE HOUSING

Related United Way programs: Continuum of Care, Rentable

  1. Homelessness prevention and eviction diversion
  2. Expanding access to affordable rentals and subsidies
  3. Supportive services (mental health, job training) integrated with housing assistance

EXPANDING P-20 EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES

Related United Way programs: CapCAN

  1. Education completion
  2. Supports to attend and complete degrees and credentials
  3. Workforce education
  4. Increase affordability of child care options

ENSURING BASIC NEEDS PROVISION AND HEALTHCARE

211, Program Assistance Center

  1. Increase access to basic needs such as food and utility assistance
  2. Affordable, accessible culrutally competent healthcare (physical, mental, dental)

Financial Stability

ADDRESSING DISPARITIES & FOSTERING INCLUSIVE POLICIES

  1. Anti-discrimination measures and diverse initiatives
  2. Language access and culturally competent services
  3. Equitable resource allocation, especially in underserved neighborhoods

SUPPORTING ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND OPPORTUNITY   

Related United Way programs: VITA, Small Business Programs, ALICE @ Work, Disaster Relief Fund, JobSTAR

  1. Financial stability to reinforce our existing capacity around PAC, VITA
  2. Financial education
  3. EITC- federal and state
  4. Expand child tax credit
  5. Career coaching
  6. Mentorship
  7. Ongoing professional development
  8. Small business support for child care