State Rep. Tom Kuhn has been leading efforts to bring greater transparency and accountability to Michigan’s budget process since his election to the Legislature. This week, the House voted unanimously to support reforms to the budget process that Kuhn first proposed two years ago. The new reforms eliminate secret backdoor budget expenditures for special interests and legislators and require openness and transparency on all legislative budget requests.

On Thursday, Kuhn was also reappointed to the powerful House Appropriations Committee, where he will continue working to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and effectively. Now serving his second term, Kuhn has been a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility, government accountability, and budget transparency.

“The people of Michigan deserve an open, transparent budget process,” said Kuhn, R-Troy. “Last term, hundreds of millions of tax dollars for secret projects were inserted at the last minute without oversight, accountability, or public input. That’s going to change this year with Republican control of the House.”

New House rules, which passed 105-0, include:

• No more earmarks for for-profit businesses – Direct grants will now be limited to local governments and qualifying nonprofit organizations.

• Tighter nonprofit requirements – Nonprofits must operate in Michigan for at least three years and maintain a physical office for at least one year before being eligible for state funding.

• Full disclosure of earmarks – Every request must include the name of the requesting legislator, the recipient, funding amount, project details, and justification for why it serves a public benefit.

• Stronger conflict-of-interest protections – Lawmakers, their families, and staff cannot personally benefit from earmarked funds.

• A 14-day public review period – No more last-minute budget add-ons—earmark requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance and made publicly available.

Kuhn pointed to a widely reported misuse of taxpayer dollars as an example of why these reforms are needed: $20 million was granted to an organization that didn’t even exist at the time the budget was passed, with funds later used to buy a $4,500 luxury coffeemaker.

“Taxpayer dollars should fund essential services – not luxury items,” Kuhn said. “These reforms will ensure that every spending decision is justified, transparent, and accountable to the people of Michigan.”

As part of the House Appropriations Committee, Kuhn will play a major role in shaping the state budget. He has been appointed to four key subcommittees:

Chair – General Government Subcommittee
Vice Chair – Public Health Subcommittee
Member – Higher Education & Community Colleges Subcommittee
Member – Medicaid & Behavioral Health Subcommittee

“Budgeting is about priorities,” Kuhn said. “I’ll continue fighting for smart investments in infrastructure, education, and public safety while ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely.”