Livingston Today

House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin has introduced significant reforms aimed at increasing transparency and accountability in state budget spending. The reforms are encapsulated in House Resolution 14, which seeks to restore taxpayer trust and ensure responsible use of tax dollars. This initiative is part of the House Republicans' focus on fiscal responsibility and government accountability for the 2025-26 legislative session.

Bollin emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “Taxpayers deserve to know exactly where their money is going, why it’s being spent, and how it benefits the public.” She assured that under the new process, all spending initiatives would be thoroughly vetted.

Recent state budgets have been criticized for including billions in earmarked projects with insufficient transparency. Some projects were linked to mismanagement and questionable expenditures. A notable case from 2022 involved a $20 million earmark secured by an ally of Gov. Whitmer for a newly created company, which was used for personal luxuries instead of public benefit.

The resolution proposes several measures to prevent such abuses:

- Earmarks will be restricted to public bodies and eligible non-profits.

- Sponsors must provide detailed information about funding requests.

- Non-profit organizations must meet stricter eligibility criteria.

- Conflict-of-interest protections will be enforced.

- Greater transparency throughout the funding process will be ensured.

Bollin stated, “This is about getting back to the basics of responsible budgeting and making government accountable to the people it serves.” She added that these rules are designed to safeguard taxpayer dollars and ensure each initiative provides a public benefit.

The changes are part of broader efforts by the House Appropriations Committee under Bollin's leadership, which include creating new subcommittees focused on ensuring value in state budget allocations.

“Politically connected individuals cannot be allowed to treat the state budget as a personal slush fund,” Bollin said. “The people of Michigan deserve better, and we’re here to deliver.”

The resolution is set for consideration by the House today.