State Rep. Jay DeBoyer on Thursday voted for a budget agreement that prioritizes responsible governing, protects people’s paychecks and funds desperately needed local road repairs.

“We’ve seen how out of control state spending has gotten over the past few years,” said DeBoyer, of Clay Township. “This plan works to reduce spending by over $1.1 billion. It eliminates over 2,000 ghost state positions that are routinely funded but never filled, which costs taxpayers money and creates slush funds for state departments to push their own agendas. We worked to deliver a better product for the people with historic funding for roads, support for students and public safety.”

DeBoyer outlined multiple highlights of the budget plan, including:

A landmark commitment to local infrastructure – The budget plan dedicates nearly $2 billion in ongoing funding to fix local roads. For many local road agencies, this investment will mean communities finally have the resources to repair potholes and repave roads workers and families use every day.

Eliminating taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security income –The budget implements President Trump’s plan to provide tax relief to working families and seniors by eliminating taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security income. This will provide meaningful relief to more than 500,000 Michiganders, helping workers, seniors, and families stretch their paychecks further and keep up with the rising cost of living.

Investing $26 million at Selfridge Air National Guard Base –The budget includes $26 million for Selfridge Air National Guard Base to continue critical infrastructure upgrades and replace the runway. This expansion will ensure the base is ready for a new fighter jet mission secured by President Trump.

No DNR fee hikes – There will be no fee hikes for hunting, fishing, or boating licenses in Michigan. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources was pushing hard for these increases, but DeBoyer and House Republicans stood with the people and stopped the DNR in its tracks. Lawmakers have long argued that the DNR has a terrible relationship with Michigan sportsmen and should focus on rebuilding public trust and spending the money it already has more efficiently before asking hunters, fishermen, and boaters to foot the bill for more wasteful spending.

Ending wasteful spending on empty state office buildings –The budget plan also ends wasteful spending on empty state office buildings because taxpayers should not be footing the bill for leased space that sits unused while many state employees work from home. In the private sector, office occupancy rates average around 80 percent, and the state should expect that same standard. The budget agreement ensures stronger oversight and accountability, so employees are monitored and taxpayers know the work is getting done.

“I am hopeful this budget sets a precedent going forward,” DeBoyer said. “We can dedicate record funding to things an overwhelming majority of people in our state care about by budgeting responsibly and ditching the reckless habits that have bloated state government on the backs of hardworking taxpayers. This is a pivotal plan for the direction of our state, and House Republicans have led the way on championing a more responsible budget since the start of the term.”

The plan now moves to the governor for consideration.