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Wakeman backs plan protecting Saginaw County families, curtailing governor’s power grab
RELEASE|October 30, 2019

State Rep. Rodney Wakeman today expressed his support for a pair of common-sense solutions to Michigan’s ongoing state budget standoff, preserving some State Administrative Board powers while preventing executive abuse of the system.

The plan relates to the board Gov. Whitmer recently used to unilaterally shift around $625 million in taxpayer money without legislative oversight or accountability. Her actions eliminated Legislature-approved support for some of Michigan’s most vulnerable people – defunding programs to help children in foster care, boost court-appointed advocates for children, help at-risk youth and fight human trafficking. The governor instead unconventionally shifted the funds to into her own bureaucratic priorities.

Wakeman said one of the proposals introduced would limit the amount of money the board could redirect in any one line item to $200,000 per budget year. The other would change the appropriations process to empower the Legislature with stronger authority on budget transfers.

“Gov. Whitmer worked through a committee of her unaccountable political appointees and allies to circumvent the will of duly elected representatives from across the state,” said Wakeman, of Saginaw Township. “This type of unilateral power play from the governor is unprecedented and wrong. I’m here to stand up for my constituents whose lives are negatively impacted by this.”

Limiting the amounts of money that can be transferred by the State Administrative Board would return Michigan to the parameters of the 1970s and 1980s under Gov. Milliken, adjusted for inflation. It also would place a proper emphasis on current procedures for budget-related transfers that the Legislature and the governor’s administration routinely use year-round.

“Our proposals are designed to protect hard-working taxpayers while installing proper oversight and accountability to ensure the people of Saginaw County and across Michigan are not being used as bargaining chips in the budget process,” Wakeman said. “The governor will still retain some flexibility through the State Administrative Board, but our plan at least makes sure the budget process is conducted in a collaborative effort between the executive and legislative branches. Our state moves forward when we work together. Not through gubernatorial abuse that disregards the will of the people.”

Another part of the plan requires the Legislature to send the governor a budget plan by July 1. A signed, implemented budget would still be due by Oct. 1.

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