Livingston Today

State Representative Ann Bollin, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, has voiced her concerns regarding Governor Whitmer's budget proposal. In a statement released today, Rep. Bollin highlighted several issues she sees with the proposed budget.

Rep. Bollin expressed her dissatisfaction with the focus of the budget, stating, "Most of the new programs she has proposed only benefit a select few. I don’t think there’s anything in there that benefits all Michiganders." She specifically criticized the expansion of free breakfast and lunch for Michigan students, arguing that the exclusion of children whose families choose alternative education options is unfair. She asked, "Aren’t they hungry, too?"

Regarding the governor's plans to fix the state's roads, Rep. Bollin raised concerns about the use of bonds, saying, "if you look deeper, you see she is taking out another $700 million in bonds, putting our state further into debt to put up more orange barrels on state highways." She also highlighted the neglect of local roads, stating that they continue to be ignored.

Rep. Bollin appreciated the governor's commitment to setting aside more money in the state's rainy-day fund but disagreed with the proposed shift in funding priorities. She argued that the governor's plan to move money away from funding teachers' retirement benefits to prioritize the free preschool program was misguided. Rep. Bollin suggested that paying off debt should be the priority instead.

Another point of contention for Rep. Bollin was the proposal for free community college for all. She questioned whether this was the best use of tax dollars, suggesting that the focus should be on improving student performance in high schools and elementary schools. Rep. Bollin argued against using community college as a means to make up for learning loss during the Covid shutdowns.

However, Rep. Bollin acknowledged that the budget presentation was just the beginning of the process. She expressed her commitment to delving deeper into the budget and working on behalf of the people she represents to ensure that their tax dollars are used effectively.

As budget season kicks off, Rep. Bollin's critique of Governor Whitmer's budget proposal highlights her focus on improving essential services rather than growing the government. She raises valid concerns about the potential exclusion of certain groups and the allocation of funds. The budget process will continue, and Rep. Bollin is determined to advocate for the best use of taxpayers' money.