Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democratic nominee for the 2026 gubernatorial ballot, turned down the luncheon to speak to voters in Detroit. U.S. Rep. John James was unavailable due to being in Washington, D.C., and former Detroit mayor Mike Duggan said he was unavailable, “like the other frontrunners” in the election.

Cox spoke in support of the House Republicans' proposed 62% budget cuts for the upcoming fiscal year. The proposed budget set state appropriations to the university at $208.8 million, compared to the current fiscal year, when MSU received $333.7 million. The budget was approved late Wednesday night.

“Universities need to come to the table, be more transparent if they want state money,” Cox said. “I like the fact that the House Republicans have started the discussion because you shouldn't have to pay the tuition you're paying right now.”

Nesbitt also advocated for trade industries, saying that an entire generation was sold a “lie” that promised a certain standard of living if they went to college. 

And Cox, in reference to rising administrative and tuition costs, said “you're not getting a bang for your buck.” 

“As governor, I wouldn't roll over for this nonsense from college administrators,” Cox told The State News. 

Rebandt told The State News he would consider additional funding cuts for universities that forgo “merit” and “excellence” in favor of diversity, equity and inclusion principles. 

“If the government was to simply say we're going to regulate the NBA and have 50% of them be Asians, nobody would win. You know, you can't do that,” Rebandt said in reference to DEI initiatives.

Some of the Republican candidates have said the ongoing affordability crisis can be amended with the elimination of the state’s income tax. 

Johnson said his plan for eliminating income tax would result in $4,747 being returned to Michigan families every year, alongside reforms with the state’s property taxes. 

Johnson referenced his background in eliminating wasteful spending within corporations as necessary for Michigan to retain its youth and prevent them from seeking opportunities elsewhere. 

The amount of money wasted at the state level is “comical,” Johnson said. 

Cox shared Johnson’s criticism of the extent to which state spending has increased with limited benefits for Michigan residents. College tuition hasn’t become more affordable, the state isn’t safer and job growth has been minimal, he said. 

“If we’re ever going to be that state that keeps our kids or attracts businesses, we have to make changes,” Cox said. 

Rebandt said his team has already identified up to $12 million dollars in potential budget cuts that would reduce “wasteful” spending. 

“Many of us think that the American Dream is on the verge of dying and being on life support,” Rebandt said. “I'm going to take it off of life support by drastically, not just cutting the budget, but we have a plan to slash the budget.”

Nesbitt spoke in favor of eliminating the state’s property tax entirely to make the state more affordable for residents, which would put an additional $1,000 in the pockets of Michigan homeowners.