State Rep. Ann Bollin today led the Michigan House in approving a bipartisan state budget that reins in state government while investing more in roads, schools, and critical services people rely on every day.

“This budget proves government can be responsible with taxpayer dollars while still delivering the resources our families, students, and communities depend on,” said Bollin, House Appropriations chair. “We cut waste, restored balance, and set real priorities that reflect the needs of Michigan families.”

The budget includes the following major reforms and investments:

• Eliminating ghost government employees: The budget cuts 2,000 unfunded phantom positions that state departments have used to pad their slush funds, saving hundreds of millions of dollars that were redirected to real statewide priorities.
• Shrinking state government: After years of runaway spending under Gov. Whitmer — with state spending up 43% and some departments doubling in size — this budget reduces the state’s general fund by $800 million, restoring balance and delivering better value for taxpayers.
• Ending wasteful spending on empty office buildings: The budget ensures taxpayers no longer pay for leased office space that sits empty while state employees work from home.
• Delivering tax relief: The budget eliminates state taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security income, helping more than 500,000 Michiganders stretch their paychecks further.
• Fixing the roads: Nearly $2 billion in new ongoing funding will be invested into local roads and bridges, ensuring money collected at the pump actually goes toward road improvements.
• Supporting public safety: For the first time, $95 million from the new Public Safety Trust Fund will go directly to local law enforcement agencies to put more police on the street and keep neighborhoods safe.

The budget also includes record-high school funding,including a per-pupil foundation allowance increase that was denied to schools last year. It invests $442 more per student, bringing the total foundation allowance to $10,050. Additionally, Bollin fought to restore $321 million for school safety and mental health services after Democrats cut the programs last year, ensuring every student has a safe environment to learn.

“This budget makes a historic investment in our schools while restoring the critical school safety and mental health resources that students rely on,” Bollin said. “Parents want their children to learn in safe, supportive classrooms, and this plan delivers on that promise.”