South Michigan News

State Rep. Sarah Lightner, the ranking Republican on the House Appropriations Committee, voted against an $82.5 billion spending plan she said prioritizes pet projects over the critical needs of Michigan residents.

Lightner, R-Springport, stated that the new state budget relies on a tax increase that burdens families, seniors, and small businesses. It also reallocates $670 million from teachers’ retirement accounts. Concurrently, the budget significantly reduces school safety funding and neglects local road repairs.

“The Democrats are taking more out of our paychecks and risking the future retirements of our teachers – and for what? Not to fix our crumbling roads or fund school safety,” Lightner said. “Their budget is filled with funding for green energy projects, political spending that benefits a privileged few, and new bureaucratic programs that grow the size of government.”

The new budget cuts school safety and mental health grant funding by more than $300 million, leaving just $26.5 million to help schools fund resource officers, mental health services, and other critical programs.

“Eliminating funding for school safety and mental health initiatives is a huge mistake,” Lightner said. “Our children deserve to feel safe and supported in their learning environments, and drastically cutting these essential resources puts their well-being at risk.”

Additionally, the budget phases out funding for the Michigan Tuition Grant program, which supports approximately 15,000 students attending independent colleges and universities such as Spring Arbor University, Baker College, and Albion College.

Pet projects like a $7.5 million drone program, $3 million in incentives for e-bike purchases, and a $25 million program to build state-owned EV charging stations received funding. A commission to coordinate a celebration marking the United States semiquincentennial also received $5 million.

The budget includes hundreds of millions of dollars in additional projects added at the last minute: $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 various sports facilities; $1.9 million for a pool in Saginaw; and $300,000 to cover public Wi-Fi in downtown Detroit.

Past recipients of these enhancement grants have misused state funding. One prominent MEDC appointee created a new business using a $20 million grant to pay for first-class plane tickets and a $4,500 coffee maker.

A significant allocation includes a $500 million earmark for the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) fund aimed at economic development projects without implementing necessary transparency reforms.

“It’s irresponsible to continue pumping money into the SOAR fund and offer handouts to corporations without implementing transparency and accountability reforms,” Lightner said. “We cannot keep investing taxpayer dollars in companies that fail to deliver a meaningful return on investment.”

The new state budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 was pushed through the House early this morning in two party-line votes.

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