Livingston Today

State Rep. Ann Bollin voted against an $82.5 billion state budget plan, citing concerns over the prioritization of pet projects at the expense of essential services for Michigan residents.

Bollin, R-Brighton Township, criticized the budget for relying on a tax increase that affects families, seniors, and small businesses while also redirecting $670 million from teachers' retirement accounts. Additionally, she noted significant cuts in school safety funding and neglect of local road repairs.

“This budget funnels funds into projects that don’t address the real issues at hand,” Bollin said. “It funds political projects and social programs while neglecting crucial areas like infrastructure, public safety, and other essential government services.”

The new budget reduces school safety and mental health grant funding by over $300 million, leaving only $26.5 million to support resource officers and mental health services in schools. It also phases out the Michigan Tuition Grant program, which aids approximately 15,000 students attending independent colleges and universities.

Pet projects funded in the budget include a $7.5 million drone program, $3 million incentives for e-bike purchases, and a $25 million initiative to build state-owned EV charging stations. A commission for celebrating the United States semiquincentennial received $5 million.

Additional allocations included last-minute additions such as $17 million for zoos in Lansing and Metro Detroit, $2.5 million for professional baseball stadiums, $5 million for a theater in Detroit, $18 million for sports facilities, $1.9 million for a pool in Saginaw, and $300,000 for public Wi-Fi in downtown Detroit.

Bollin highlighted past misuse of similar enhancement grants: “Past recipients of these ‘enhancement’ grants have misused state funding,” she said. This includes one prominent MEDC appointee who used a $20 million grant to pay for first-class plane tickets and an expensive coffee maker.

The budget earmarks $500 million for the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) fund to provide incentives to corporations promising economic development projects without introducing necessary reforms for transparency and accountability.

“The budget pours hundreds of millions into corporate handouts and special interest projects yet fails to introduce safeguards to ensure proper use,” Bollin stated. “We’ve seen these funds misused on luxuries like first-class travel and expensive coffee makers rather than creating the jobs they were intended for.”

The state budget was passed early this morning through two party-line votes in the House.

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