Rep. Eric Leutheuser today voted in favor of a new Michigan state budget which invests in roads and education solutions – without new taxes.

“I am proud to see both sides in the House come together in a bipartisan way to pass a state budget on time, before the October deadline,” Leutheuser said. “We looked for savings and found them. For example, some state programs were never spending as much money as they were allocated. So this year, we did our part to ‘true up’ those columns and demand accountability, ultimately saving taxpayers millions.”

Leutheuser’s vote to approve the budget plans came as the Legislature completed its work on a new state budget for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1

Gov. Whitmer declined to participate in budget negotiations after her demands for a 45-cent per gallon gas tax increase were rejected by both Republican chambers. The budget the Legislature is sending to her costs taxpayers millions less than the plan she proposed in March.

The Legislature’s budget places a priority on:.

• Education. The schools budget approved last week includes a record $15.2 billion for Michigan students, increasing the foundation allowance by more than $300 million — up to $240 more per student. Additional support is provided for special education, early literacy, school safety, and several other programs.
• Roads. $400 million – without a new gas tax – is invested in road and bridge repairs in addition to the transportation department’s existing budget, continuing the Legislature’s commitment to improving roads by first using the funding that’s already in the budget. Michigan’s Department of Transportation total budget will top $5 billion and provide more money for road repairs than ever before.
• Economic growth. Investments continue and increase in programs such as Going Pro to train more workers for good-paying, high demand careers so they can support themselves and their families. This builds upon the previously approved schools budget providing significant increases in career and technical education.
• Agriculture. Continues a $4 million investment in the Food & Investment Grant program that helps support innovation in agriculture and job creation.

This budget fulfills a commitment the legislature made to make cuts wherever possible and look for better ways to use funding that’s already available without increasing taxes or proposing new ones. The governor’s proposed 45 cent per gallon gas tax is not included in the budget passed by the legislature.

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