Pontiac, Michigan

Oakland County, Michigan commissioners unanimously approved a roughly $1.2 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget on Thursday night, following tense exchanges over whether the county should explicitly fund assistance for immigrants affected by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The budget, about $70 million more than the prior year's due to inflation and higher projected revenue, closely mirrors County Executive Dave Coulter's July proposal, with additions for homelessness, human trafficking prevention and crisis response.

Commissioner Charlie Cavell proposed amendments totaling up to $900,000 for legal aid and food assistance for immigrant families and contributions to the county's Rx Kids program; commissioners rejected the first two, drawing boos from audience members who accused the panel of discrimination. Finance chair Gwen Markham defended the process as open and collaborative, while Cavell and Commissioner Kristen Nelson, who don't caucus with Democrats, argued they were excluded from committee negotiations. The final budget includes funds for emergency winter housing, legal aid for families, maternal and mental health care, and human trafficking prevention, but no funding specifically designated for immigrant legal or food assistance.