Two kids clubs could receive $10.5 million in 2027 state budget
Earmarks aren’t a done deal
Two clubs for boys and girls would get a total of $10.5 million from taxpayers if two-thirds of the Michigan Legislature, along with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, agree to two requests in the 2026-27 state budget.
Rep. Tom Kuhn, R-Troy, wants the state to send $9 million to the Boys and Girls Clubs Michigan Alliance, which, according to a April 16 press release he put out, named him a 2026 Legislative Champion, according to
Kuhn’s earmark request form states that the money would be used for the “continuation and expansion of life & workforce development programs across the state of Michigan at 16 Boys & Girls Club organizations, spanning 28 communities in the Upper and Lower Peninsula.”
The organization has received a total of $29.5 million from the state, according to the form Kuhn submitted to House leadership.
LDSI Rep. Tom Kuhn Boys & Girls Clubs Michigan Alliance (1) by mcclallen
Kuhn did not respond to Michigan Capitol Confidential’s request for comment.
Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, requires House members to submit legislative spending forms for earmarks. It is the first known instance of such a rule for earmarks.
Any legislator who requests targeted state spending for an organization must divulge if it has “previously received or been awarded any of the following types of funding in the past 5 years.”
Kuhn is not the only legislator to request funding for a youth organization. Rep. Joe Tate, D-Detroit, has requested $1.5 million for the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan.
Tate stated in his request form that the money would be used to help girls “identify and develop their passions.” He wrote that the spending would equip them with workforce skills to “build stronger communities.”
LDSI Rep. Joseph Tate Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan by mcclallen
Tate added that the organization previously received $1 million from taxpayers.
CapCon reported on that $1 million grant in 2024.
Tate did not respond to an email seeking comment.
Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.
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