Genesee News

I serve on the House Appropriations Committee, which handles the annual state budget and supplemental budget measures. This is my third term on the committee, with each year presenting new challenges.

I aim to improve communities in Lapeer, Genesee, and Tuscola counties through this year's budget amidst a widely publicized July deadline.

Our budget process has faced disarray due to several factors. In 1975, Governor William Milliken and the state Legislature changed the fiscal year start date from July 1 to October 1. While addressing certain fiscal challenges at that time, it complicated matters for public entities like school districts in setting their budgets for transportation, after-school programs, textbooks, building improvements, and more.

The practice of combining multiple budgets into one or two bills sent to the governor is another issue. Legislators often have limited time to review extensive details before voting, making it hard to address concerns or seek input from constituents.

Previously, the House and Senate worked separately on budget bills before reconciling them. This led to disjointed budgets that were difficult to balance. Now both chambers have their plans for each individual budget. Sometimes these plans align; other times they conflict significantly.

This brings us to the current budget cycle. I recently supported a House K-12 School Aid budget plan for the upcoming fiscal year that includes a 20% foundation allowance increase—the highest per-pupil funding in our state's history. The plan allows local communities discretion over spending rather than adhering to rigid state-mandated categories.

Unfortunately, the Senate's plan allocates less money per pupil with categorical spending that may not meet specific local needs. A compromise will be necessary for submission to the governor; however, the Senate chose not to engage further discussions with the House.

We continue reviewing our state budget line by line in pursuit of optimal value for tax dollars while addressing priorities like roads and schools—areas of concern for many across our state—and adjusting government spending after years of growth deemed unsustainable.

I hope collaboration prevails in our state's budgeting process in coming weeks as falling short could prove costly.