I recently had a hand in crafting and voted in favor of an agreement for the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

The agreed-upon and recently signed plan funds priorities that are shared by an overwhelming number of workers and families across our area and the state, like support for our students and schools, public safety, and infrastructure. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, it was important to ensure any agreement respected your tax dollars.

The finalized budget does not raise taxes. I successfully fought against the Senate and governor’s proposal of raising taxes by $800 million this spring. The governor had proposed a 16 percent increase in spending while adding roughly 1,000 new taxpayer-funded bureaucrat positions. The reality is that state spending has already grown by 43 percent during the governor’s tenure. We pushed back in the House against unsustainable government expansion efforts that would have used hardworking people to cover the state’s budget as many struggle to tend to their own.

I also successfully fought against using the state’s “rainy-day fund.” The state should live within its means by cutting spending before raiding its savings account just like any family would. This account is intended for emergencies, not expanded government spending or plugging holes left from previous budgets.

General fund spending is about $860 million less than the current year. Our agreement still increases per-pupil finding by $250 to $10,300 per student, features $50 million in new funding for tutoring to help struggling students, maintains mental health and school safety funding, and includes additional funding for teacher bonuses, dual enrollment, bus services, and other resources. The plan also continues historic commitments to roads and public safety from last year.

Government accountability provisions in the budget rein in the state Attorney General to stop politicized lawsuits that use taxpayer dollars and remove IT project oversight from the Secretary of State after multiple projects have seen delays and cost overruns.

I was also pleased to secure funding for a new fire truck for Watertown Township in Tuscola County. Fire trucks typically have a front-line service life of 10 to 15 years, with recommended retirement at 20 to 25 years. The township fire department’s primary engine was last replaced almost 30 years ago and requires frequent and costly repairs. This investment was sorely needed for improved emergency response across Lapeer and Tuscola counties, as the department serves a broad regional population. 

In addition to the Watertown fire truck, I worked with local officials and sponsored several funding requests for local projects during the budget process. We ultimately had to reach a compromise with the Senate and governor for a final product. While I wish I was able to secure funding for every community’s needs, I am proud to return some of the tax dollars the 67^th District contributes to the state to the residents of the 67^th District. I will continue fighting for resources for communities in our area.

Local investments, responsible spending and funding priorities. Those are pillars of this state budget, and it should be a framework for the future.