State Rep. Eric Leutheuser, of Hillsdale, issued the following statement after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced her state budget proposal:

“The governor’s budget proposal is just that – a proposal.  While giving the clearest indication to date of what the governor would like a final budget to look like, it mainly serves as the beginning point in the negotiation process with the Legislature.  As such, I have to say that I am disappointed that the governor’s proposal does not reflect the reality of how everyday Michigan families live and work.

An increase of 45-cents per gallon in fuel taxes would give us the highest gas tax in the country on top of the highest car insurance rates in the country.  It’d be laughable if it weren’t being proposed by the governor of our state.  I’m also disappointed that she is proposing to raise taxes significantly on small businesses.  Small businesses are the ones that don’t qualify for state “incentives” but provide the economic backbone of our communities.  And, unlike the largest corporations, they don’t move to another state or country when we make it tough to do business in Michigan – they just go away.  I will vote against this proposal if presented in this form to the full House.  In the meantime, as the appropriating body, we must hold ourselves to high standards in this budgeting process, and work diligently and in good faith to fund road repairs, education, health services and the needs of our entire state.”

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