House Republicans Deliver Balanced Budget

Lansing, MI – This morning, after months of negotiating, Speaker Matt Hall and House Republicans were able to vote on a final state budget full of Republican wins. In spite of the Democrat-led Senate and Governor Gretchen Whitmer pushing for even more reckless spending, Hall was able to deliver a budget that cuts spending, secures critical programs, and invests in education.

This budget comes in at roughly $84 billion, lower than the more than $88 billion the governor asked for in her executive budget recommendation. In order to close the revenue shortfall and force the state to tighten its belt, just as Michigan families often have to, 10 state departments are receiving less money this year than last year.

Hall also worked to make sure critical programs are not being taken advantage of. In light of the massive fraud in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Speaker was able to negotiate a number of fraud-stopping measures into this budget, including ID chips in Bridge cards, eligibility verification, and mandatory reporting to the Legislature. Along with the cuts, these changes will also save the state money.

The House Republican caucus also worked to secure funding for education programs that will help turn Gretchen Whitmer’s literacy crisis around, including funding for dual enrollment, LETRS training, and mental health and school safety. 

“Speaker Matt Hall was able to secure the top priorities of Michiganders while shrinking the size of the budget,” said Gabe Butzke, a spokesperson for Michigan Forward Network. “The months of negotiations were worth the wait for this reasonable, responsible budget that stops waste, fraud, and abuse.”