State Rep. Greg Markkanen this week voted to support a House budget plan that includes record funding for road repairs and schools without a massive tax hike.

“The spending plan we developed in the House invests in areas that matter most to Michigan families without hurting taxpayers,” Markkanen said. “Rather than asking residents for more money, we took a hard look at state government spending and found even ways to deliver better value. This deliberative process freed up resources for well-established priorities such as roads, schools, public health and safety, and local community services.”

The House approved several budget measures this week, advancing the plan to the Senate for further consideration.

Key elements of the budget plan:

• Roads. The plan ensures every single penny spent on taxes at the gas pump goes to improve our roads – including the 6 percent sales tax motorists already pay. This change could add more than $800 million more per year to road repairs – without raising taxes – once fully phased in over two years. This change would be accomplished without sacrificing money for schools, local government revenue sharing or other essential public services.
• Schools. The plan raises the state’s minimum per-pupil foundation allowance by $180 per student, which covers the majority of Michigan’s school districts. All districts would get at least $90 more per student under the House plan. This comes on top of the largest annual per-student increase of the past 15 years – which schools are receiving in the current budget year – while continuing to close the gap between the state’s lowest- and highest-funded districts. Early literacy and career training are special focuses as the overall school aid fund would surpass $15 billion.
• Strengthening communities and families. More resources will be dedicated to protect drinking water, clean up the environment, promote mental health and fight opioid addiction. Local communities will get an increase in revenue sharing to enhance essential public services. More Michigan State Police troopers and state prison corrections officers will be trained.
• Respecting taxpayers through government efficiencies. Many state departments are being asked to find a savings of 3 percent in their administrative budgets. The House also has identified several state programs that do not spend as much money as taxpayers have been providing, so their budgets will be adjusted accordingly. The plan also helps rein in information technology project spending within state departments, which has been a problem area.

Markkanen said the House budget plan costs Michigan taxpayers about $1.3 billion less than the plan recommended by the governor.

###