Livingston Today

House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin, R-Brighton Township, issued a statement following the Michigan Senate’s adoption of new transparency rules for budget earmarks. The Senate’s action mirrors measures previously advanced by Bollin in the House.

“The Senate’s decision to embrace the House’s strict budget transparency requirements is a major victory. Michigan taxpayers now have the right to scrutinize every earmark in the state budget.

“For months, the House has been leading the charge to bring sunlight to the earmark process, because hardworking Michigan taxpayers expect and deserve to know how their money is being spent. With the Senate now joining us and the governor in support, we have full agreement that earmarks must be transparent, publicly reviewed, and prohibited from flowing to for-profit companies.

“This is also a critical step forward in our budget negotiations as we approach the October 1 deadline. By ensuring every earmark is subject to public scrutiny, we are reinforcing trust in the budget process and making certain that taxpayer dollars are used wisely and responsibly.”

The changes require all state budget earmarks to be publicly disclosed and reviewed before funds are allocated. Earmarks will also be restricted from being directed toward for-profit entities. The reforms come as lawmakers work toward finalizing next year’s state budget ahead of an October 1 deadline.