House Speaker of Richland Demands State Funding for New Runway at Selfridge Air National Guard Base
Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall has set a firm deadline of June 1 for lawmakers to approve funding for Selfridge Air National Guard Base to build a new runway.
Hall says if they do not meet that deadline, the new F-15EX fighter jets announced by President Trump for the base will likely not come. He adds Selfridge would also probably have to shut down if the runway construction plan does not pass.
The House has a priority to pass a clean supplemental bill for the funding before they leave for the Mackinac Policy Conference
The base is preparing for two new missions that will require roughly $1 billion in infrastructure updates. Both chambers of the state Legislature have approved bills to help fund updates at Selfridge but they need to agree on one for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to sign.
At an event in St. Clair Shores on Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer encouraged the Michigan Legislature to deliver funding for the Harrison Township base to her desk by June 1.
Stakes High for Kalamazoo Area Community
Selfridge Air National Guard Base is located in Harrison Township near Kalamazoo. The base serves as a critical military installation for the region and provides economic opportunities for the surrounding communities.
House Speaker Matt Hall represents Richland and has been vocal about the importance of supporting military installations in the state. His deadline puts pressure on the Legislature to act quickly on the funding package.
The Detroit News reported that the Michigan House and Senate are currently disagreeing on how to pass funding for improvements at Selfridge. This disagreement could delay the critical infrastructure updates needed for the base to operate its new missions.
The base is preparing for two new missions that will require roughly $1 billion in infrastructure updates
Without the funding, the base could lose the F-15EX fighter jets and face potential shutdown. This would have significant implications for the military community and the local economy that depends on the installation.
The Mackinac Policy Conference is coming up and Hall wants to ensure the Legislature has time to pass the clean supplemental bill before lawmakers head there. The conference typically involves policy discussions and strategic planning sessions for state representatives.
What Comes Next
The June 1 deadline creates an urgent timeline for the Legislature to resolve their differences on the funding package. Both chambers must agree on a single bill that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer can sign into law.
Residents and community members in the Kalamazoo area will be watching closely as the Legislature works to meet Hall's deadline. The outcome could determine whether Selfridge Air National Guard Base continues its mission or faces closure.
The story highlights the tension between military needs and state funding priorities. House Speaker Matt Hall of Richland is using his position to push for quick action on what he says is a critical infrastructure project.
Sources: WKZO, Detroit News