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

Lower, of Greenville, said it is incorrect for Gov. Whitmer to blame Republicans in the Michigan Legislature for a stalemate in state budget talks.

“The governor is completely ignoring the fact that the House has already passed a responsible spending plan that provides record funding levels for both schools and roads without raising taxes,” Lower said. “In fact, the governor received several different road funding proposals from the Legislature over the summer. It seems as though she won’t accept a solution unless it includes her $2.5 billion tax hike on Michigan drivers.”

Lower 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.

“It’s disingenuous for Governor Whitmer to scare people into thinking school funding is in jeopardy,” Lower said. “The House’s proposals do not decrease school funding in any way. In fact, it’s quite the opposite – we included record funding levels for Michigan classrooms.”

The plan approved by the House in June 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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