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Rep. Albert, Michigan House approve responsible budget supporting schools, road repairs
RELEASE|June 13, 2019

Rep. Thomas Albert this week voted in support of a Michigan House budget plan that will improve roads, schools and working conditions for state prison corrections officers – without raising costs for taxpayers.

“This is a responsible budget plan because it supports essential services for Michigan families without asking them for more money,” said Albert, of Lowell, who helped shape the proposal as a member of the House Appropriations Committee. “This plan provides record funding for schools and road repairs by using the resources taxpayers already provide more effectively. That’s the smart way to do things, and a necessary step before other alternatives should even be considered.”

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

  • Roads. The plan substitutes the 6 percent sales tax on fuel that motorists already pay with an equivalent tax that will go directly to road repairs. Once fully phased in, this change would add more than $800 million a year to road repairs without raising taxes. This change would be accomplished without sacrificing money for schools, local government revenue sharing or other essential public services. “Under terms of the constitution, the Legislature cannot change how the general sales tax is distributed – but it can determine the types of purchases the sales tax is applied to,” Albert said. “The change we are proposing makes sure more of the taxes paid at the pump support road repairs. We will make other necessary adjustments within the budget to make sure schools and local governments are not affected by this decision.”

 

  • Schools. The plan raises the state’s minimum per-pupil foundation allowance by $180 per student, and by at least $90 per student for districts not at the minimum.  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 increase by $203 million and surpass $15 billion.

 

  • Public safety. More Michigan State Police troopers and state prison corrections officers will be trained. Albert – who leads a subcommittee overseeing the state prisons budget – crafted a plan that improves working conditions and addresses staffing shortfalls for corrections officers, including $1 million for a post-traumatic stress and wellness program. “The incredible men and women who work in our state prisons deserve our support, and this plan takes a big step in the right direction,” Albert said.

 

  • 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.

 

  • 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

 

Albert noted the Michigan House plan would cost taxpayers about $1.3 billion less than the plan proposed by the governor.

“The tax-and-spend strategy simply doesn’t work,” Albert said. “This plan protects taxpayers by demanding a more effective and efficient state government.”

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