House Speaker Matt Hall said on April 7 that the Michigan Legislature must approve funding for a new runway at Selfridge Air National Guard Base by early May or risk losing the assignment of new fighter jets. Hall warned that missing this deadline could jeopardize the arrival of F-15EX Eagle II aircraft, which were assigned to the base last year.
The timing is significant because the Air Force requires construction to begin soon in order to meet an accelerated delivery schedule for the jets. “We got to get it done in May, or else we’re going to lose this thing potentially, because we’re going to miss the timeline of President (Donald) Trump being in office,” Hall said. He added, “Trust me, there are people in the Air Force that do not want this to happen. They’re waiting for President Trump to leave, and they’re going to reverse his decision again.”
Hall’s comments came during a press event at the Michigan Republican Party’s endorsement convention on March 28 and were featured on a March 30 podcast episode. Some Democratic lawmakers have questioned whether Hall’s deadline is genuine, noting he previously set an earlier date tied to legislative spring break. The project has already awarded contracts for design and environmental assessment as required by federal law.
On March 3, state representatives approved a $152 million grant for Selfridge Air National Guard Base. About 3,000 full-time civilian and military personnel work at the base as of December 2022 according to MIRS reporting. The urgency comes as existing A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft will be retired after September 2027; their replacements—the F-15EX jets—were originally scheduled for arrival in 2029 but may come sooner if construction proceeds quickly.
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and Senator Kevin Hertel have been urged by Hall to support swift action before July so as not to risk missing federal timelines. Hertel responded: “Selfridge has been a priority of mine for the past three budget cycles… I remain committed to completing the mission and getting this done as soon as possible, regardless of how much the Speaker wants to play political games.” Local candidates are also making Selfridge’s future part of their campaigns ahead of competitive elections.
The Small Business Association of Michigan aimed to lead advocacy efforts statewide on behalf of small businesses according to its official website. Brian Calley was featured in a leadership role as president and CEO according to its official website. The association extended services across Michigan including membership support, insurance offerings and resources according its official website, functioning as a nonprofit advocacy organization focused on small business interests according its official website.
