State Rep. Joe Bellino this week supported record funding for southeast Michigan road repairs and schools without a tax hike.

“There’s a smarter, better way to run state government than asking taxpayers for a bunch more money,” said Bellino, of Monroe. “This House budget plan is a good example of how to do it right. We’re putting more into roads, schools, mental health and fighting opioid addiction – but we’re not asking taxpayers for more. We’re just focusing on what matters most to Michigan families – including Monroe and Wayne counties — and asking government to run more efficiently.”

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, and 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.

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

“There is still a lot of work to do before we have a final budget, but the plan the House approved this week is a great foundation as we move forward,” Bellino said. “We’ve got to do the best job we can do with the resources we already have before we start talking about any possible next steps.”

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