Rep. Michele Hoitenga today reiterated her support for a budget plan approved by the Michigan House that provides record road and school funding without tax increases.

Hoitenga, of Manton, said it is wrong for Gov. Whitmer to blame Republicans in the Michigan Legislature for a stalemate in state budget talks.

“The Legislature has presented very reasonable options that the governor is pretending don’t exist,” Hoitenga said. “The governor said she was serious about fixing the roads. If she really meant it, she would show some leadership and help build a bipartisan plan that works for taxpayers, families and all Michigan residents. Instead she keeps blaming the Legislature for not saving her from herself on her own personal priority – a scheme to increase the gas tax by 45 cents per gallon. The vast majority of Michigan residents don’t want it, and the state simply does not need it. My personal priority is having no tax increase at all.”

Hoitenga noted the budget plan approved by the House in June adds more than $800 million a year to road repairs and $226 million in additional K-12 school funding without a tax increase.

“The governor has tried to scare schools into thinking there’s a funding cut coming, and that simply is not true,” Hoitenga said.

The House plan boosts the state’s minimum per-pupil foundation grant by $180. Most districts would get that increase, and every district would get at least $90 more per student.

Provisions in the Michigan Constitution require action on a state budget before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

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