Michigan Business Beat | Mackinac Policy Conference 2026 - Brandy Johnson, MCCA - #MPC26

Chris Holman speaks with Brandy Johnson, from Media Row, at the Grand Hotel, while at the 2026 Mackinac Policy Conference. Brandy Johnson, president and CEO of the Michigan Community College Association, joined host Chris Holman at the Mackinac Policy Conference to discuss the organization's priorities as it marks its 60th anniversary. She highlighted the importance of sustaining tuition-free programs — including the Community College Guarantee for recent high school graduates and Michigan Reconnect for adults 25 and older — particularly as the state heads into a budget season and an election year with a new administration on the horizon. Johnson expressed concern about the stability of community college funding, noting that the state now contributes just under 23% of funding against an original model of one-third, and warned that property tax reform proposals could threaten the 38% of funding that comes from voter-approved millages. She also advocated for lowering the Michigan Reconnect eligibility age from 25 to 21 to reach adults in their early 20s who may be ready to return to education before the current cutoff, noting there is bipartisan support for the change. » Visit MBN website: http://www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN’s YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: http://www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: http://twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/