Whitsett’s 2026 earmark requests span Detroit and beyond

A state representative running for a Detroit City Council seat is requesting $159 million in earmarks in Michigan's 2026 state budget, but only about a fourth of these directed spending items would directly benefit the Motor City.

Democratic Rep. Karen Whitsett submitted 41 individual funding requests, the highest number of requests by any member of the state House, according to legislative spending documents. Only nine of the requests are for entities located in her legislative district.

Most of the pork project requests made by Whitsett would benefit organizations, including local government, in the greater Detroit area. Some of the organizations included in her current requests have received other grants in recent years.

Among the requests is $1.5 million for the Girl Scouts of Southeast Michigan, which received $1 million from state taxpayers in 2024.

Whitsett seeks $1.5 million for the Detroit Police Athletic League. The organization was already awarded $500,000 in the 2025 budget through a grant routed from Clinton County, located more than 120 miles from Detroit.

Other notable earmarks include:

• $30 million to Renew Detroit, a home repair program for city residents.
• $15 million to Cody Rouge Community Action Alliance to fix up homes in the Detroit area.
• $10 million to Detroit Economic Growth Development, which would allocate taxpayer money to selected businesses.
• $7.65 million to the Capital Area Housing Partnership, a housing consultant agency in Lansing, which will benefit Rep. Helena Scott’s Detroit district.
• $7.5 million to the Islamic Center of Detroit, including $500,000 for food distribution, $2 million for community and economic development programs, and $5 million for a health clinic.
• $6.5 million to Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities, including a $4 million grant for health initiatives such as obesity prevention and $2.5 million for workforce development.
• $6 millionfor down payment assistance of up to $25,000 per household for Detroit residents.
• $4 million to Starfish Family Enterprises for early education.
• $1.2 million for landscaping and improvements in Detroit parks.

To view all of Whitsett’s or any other representative’s funding requests, search by the name of the lawmaker at the House's Legislatively Directed Spending Items page. All requests from the House of Representatives are included on the website.

Whitsett did not respond to an email from Michigan Capitol Confidential seeking comment.