Livingston Today

House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin has provided an update on the Michigan state budget process, stating that House Republicans are preparing to announce a plan aimed at reducing waste and focusing resources on key areas.

Bollin indicated that progress on the remaining House budgets could occur as early as next week.

“As we wrap up our review of the state’s finances, one thing has become clear: Michigan taxpayers deserve better than the wasteful habits that have taken root in state government,” Bollin said. “Departments are sitting on slush funds created by phantom jobs that never get filled, and they’re rolling over hundreds of millions of dollars in work projects year after year. These dollars were meant to serve the people, not to be stashed away by bureaucrats. We’re putting a stop to that.”

She criticized Senate Democrats for advancing a budget plan totaling $86 billion, which she described as exceeding what the state can afford without tax increases. Bollin contrasted this with the House Republicans’ approach, which involved several months of detailed budget review. She stated that this allowed for the identification of unnecessary spending and helped shape a proposal with lower overall expenditures compared to the Senate's version.

“We did the hard work of going through this budget line by line,” Bollin said. “That extra time allowed us to root out waste, fraud, and abuse, and to make smarter investments in the things that matter most to people across Michigan. Our plan prioritizes $3.1 billion annually to repair the local roads in the worst condition, while also creating the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Trust Fund to send state dollars directly to local communities for public safety programs. It ends unfair taxes on tips, overtime pay, and retirement income. We’re boosting education funding with more flexibility so schools can shrink class sizes, strengthen mental health services, and invest in the programs their kids need most. And we are making the necessary adjustments to ensure Medicaid remains available for every qualified Michigan resident who needs it.”

Bollin emphasized that these differences in budgeting approaches would benefit taxpayers.

“Every dollar we cut from bureaucracy and waste is a dollar we can put toward the real priorities of Michigan families,” Bollin said. “You’re going to see a budget that respects taxpayers and focuses on fixing roads, keeping our communities safe, making life more affordable, and ensuring every child has the opportunity to succeed.”