LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, and Speaker of the House Matt Hall issued statements after the legislature reached a tentative agreement to pass the School Aid budget and state budget, including long-term road funding, before the fiscal year ends.
The bipartisan budget agreement, which was reached on Thursday (Sept. 25), includes top priorities from both Democrats and Republicans.
The deal is said to aim to lower costs for Michiganders, reduce waste, increase government efficiency, and help residents thrive.
The administration and legislative leaders will continue meeting to finalize and pass the budget.
Governor Whitmer said, “Today’s agreement in the legislature puts us on a path to lower costs, fix the damn roads, and pass a balanced, bipartisan budget by October 1. I am grateful to Majority Leader Brinks, Speaker Hall, and legislators on both sides of the aisle for working hard to move this budget forward.”
She added, “In Michigan, we’ve proven again and again that we can work together to get things done by staying focused on the kitchen-table issues that make a real difference in people’s lives. Amid so much national economic uncertainty, I am proud that we are taking action to lower costs, cut taxes for seniors and working families, create jobs, fund schools, fix roads, keep people safe and healthy, and so much more.”
Speaker of the House Matt Hall said, “We have an opportunity here to reform Michigan’s broken process and get much better value for the taxpayers. There is still work to be done, but it is an important step that all of us are agreeing to implement meaningful tax relief for Michigan workers and seniors, bring transparency and accountability to the earmark process for the first time, and eliminate ghost employees.”
He added, “Government has grown far too much in recent years, and we need to trim the waste, fraud, and abuse in Lansing. That’s how we can afford the real priorities of Michigan families – like education, public safety, and fixing our local roads and bridges. This agreement puts us in a position to do just that.”
Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks said, “The people of Michigan deserve a budget that makes their daily lives better — a budget that boosts education, improves roads, and protects healthcare. The framework we have agreed to reflects the priorities of Michiganders from every region.”
She concluded, “While no budget will be a perfect product, I am confident that the final result we vote on next week will have features that benefit every resident.”