State Rep. Parker Fairbairn on Wednesday voted to adopt historic reforms to ensure transparency, accountability, and public benefit in all legislatively directed spending initiatives.

“Every dollar spent by state government came from someone’s pocket – whether that be a small-business owner in Petoskey, a working mom in Sault Ste. Marie, or some other hard-working taxpayer who calls Michigan home,” said Fairbairn, R-Harbor Springs. “This bipartisan action pulls the curtains down on the outrageous spending culture in Lansing. Starting today, every dollar of ‘special project’ funding requested by a legislator, must be justified to lawmakers and the public alike. We’re putting a stop to the unregulated, undisclosed spending that has become far too prevalent in recent years.”

House Resolution 14 is aimed at restoring taxpayer trust and ensuring hard-earned dollars are spent wisely. It is just part of House Republicans’ renewed focus on fiscal responsibility and government accountability in the 2025-26 legislative session. The resolution passed the House unanimously.

Recent state budgets have included billions of dollars in earmarks. These grants have often lacked transparency, leaving taxpayers in the dark about their purpose and benefit. Several have even been linked to mismanagement and questionable spending.

One glaring example came in 2022, when an ally of Gov. Whitmer secured a $20 million earmark for a newly created nonprofit. This taxpayer money was misused on personal luxuries, including a $4,500 coffeemaker, an $11,000 first-class international plane ticket, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in excessive salaries and legal fees.

The resolution, approved today, lays out new rules for legislatively directed spending initiatives to prevent similar abuses, including:

• No earmarks for for-profit businesses. Direct grants will be limited to public bodies and eligible non-profits.

• Stricter non-profit eligibility. Organizations must be established in Michigan for at least three years and maintain a physical office in the state for at least one year.

• Greater accountability for sponsors. Each funding request must include detailed information, including the name of the sponsor and co-sponsors, the intended recipient’s name and location, the requested amount, the grant’s purpose, an explanation of public benefit, project timeline, and other key details.

• Conflict-of-interest protections. Sponsors must certify they have no conflicts of interest with the recipient. Family members and staff of the sponsor cannot serve on the non-profit’s board or be employed by the organization.

• Stronger public oversight. Funding requests must be submitted to the House Business Office at least 14 days prior to consideration and be made publicly available online by May 1 for 2025 and April 1 in future years.

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