Make Michigan Safe Again: Speaker Hall's "Public Safety And Violence Prevention Trust Fund" Plan Supports Police Departments Statewide

Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Michigan Speaker Of The House Matt Hall's bold and much needed plan to help reduce violent crime in communities all across Michigan has received overwhelming bipartisan support in Lansing.

The plan allocates 1.5% of money generated from the state's sales tax every year to the new "Public Safety and Violence Prevention Trust Fund." 

With current budget estimates, that would mean ~$115 million a year for local police, starting in September of 2026. 

The money would be distributed to communities based on their local crime rates. If they fail to show progress in decreasing crime, their allotment from the fund could be reduced, then given to other communities who are doing a better job. 

The plan requires local governments to use the resources to increase financial support for public safety, as well as violence intervention efforts.

“We want the money going to where it should go, which is going directly to putting police on the street and getting them the equipment they need, not filling budget holes," Speaker Hall said.

4 of the 20 most violent cities in the country are in Michigan, and 9 of the top 100 according to recent FBI statistics. Statewide, violent crime is 7% higher from 2019-2023 than in 2014-2018, and murders are up nearly 20%.

Here is how that $115 Million breaks down every year:

-$72 million goes to cities, villages, and townships, with the amount they receive based on their share of the statewide violent crime rate. 

-$40 million goes to county sheriff’s offices, distributed according to the size of each county’s police force. 

-$1.5 million would go to the Crime Victim’s Rights Fund, supporting victims and their families.

-$1.5 million would be available for grants for community violence intervention initiatives.

State Representatives Mike Harris and Brian Begole have been instrumental in moving the legislation forward, and House Bills 4260 and 4261, which create the fund, were passed overwhelmingly by the House with a bipartisan vote of 104-4. 

State Rep. Mike Harris

Rep. Harris, who served nearly 30 years in local law enforcement, says that strong public safety is the foundation for the success of communities.  

“Public safety is the most fundamental promise any government can make to its people," Harris said. "Without safe communities, nothing else works. The Public Safety and Violence Prevention Trust Fund is a serious, targeted response to the violent crime crisis that is raging in Michigan communities. Our bipartisan plan will dedicate funding every year to making our state safer. It will increase support for local law enforcement officers combating crime, and it will boost local teams of citizens working to intervene before situations ever turn violent."

The plan also provides accountability and transparency, ensuring Michiganders are seeing results.  

Starting in the 2027 fiscal year, a community’s share of funding would be reduced by 5% if its violent crime rate has not decreased from its base level by 5%. Beginning in the 2029 fiscal year, that rises to 10%. 

The legislation is backed by the Police Officers Association of Michigan, who said "These critical pieces of legislation would direct a portion of the state’s sales tax revenue into a newly established Public Safety Trust Fund. If passed, this funding would be allocated to local police departments and county sheriff’s offices across Michigan, providing much-needed resources for equipment, recruitment, retention, and training initiatives."

POAM leaders testified in support of the bill, and "spoke directly to the urgent needs facing departments across the state, citing staffing shortages and increasing demands on law enforcement professionals. Their testimony reinforced the importance of sustainable funding to support safe communities and effective policing."

The bills now proceed to the Senate for consideration.

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan urged Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and her fellow Senators to get behind this important legislation.

“Republicans, Democrats and independents are coming together on this,” Duggan said in a press conference with Speaker Hall. “So, it’s time for Senate Democrats to get on board and listen to their local police and support funding for our police.”

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall

State Rep Alabas Farhat, a Democrat from Dearborn who is co-sponsoring the legislation, said the Senate delaying the fund's creation will cost people their lives.

“The longer we wait, the more people will die. It’s that simple. We give police departments the money they need, they’re going to disrupt the crime,”  Farhat said. “This is an issue that impacts every Michigander, whether you live in a blue district or a red district, whether your Sheriff's a Democrat or Republican---no matter where you live, you’re touched by this issue. So just get it done. Take the politics out of it. Get it done.”

Once again, Speaker Hall has the balls to stay focused on doing what's best for Michigan---not playing partisan games, or doing what's best for Lansing lobbyists and special interests.

Speaker Hall has put violent criminals on notice, and let our police know that help is on the way.  #MakeMichiganSafeAgain

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com