LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Joseph Bellino, R-Monroe, issued the following statement Wednesday after the presentation of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s fiscal year 2026 state budget recommendation:
“The governor seems to have learned nothing from the recent presidential election. Michigan voters elected Donald Trump last fall on a promise of more freedom and more efficiency, yet the governor’s bloated budget doubles down on the failed liberal mandates of more government, more spending, and more taxes.
“After six years of this governor, our road quality ranks 40th in the country. This is after the governor blew through a $9 billion surplus two years ago, raised income taxes by $700 million last year and now plans on exhausting an expected $1 billion surplus this year. That’s $10.7 billion in extra spending over three years with virtually nothing to show for it.
“I support the per-pupil increase for schools, but improving education is more than just spending more money. Republicans increased funding for students each year, but under this governor, more dollars are being spent outside of the classroom, and as a result, Michigan students continue to fall behind. Recent test scores show that only 25% of Michigan fourth graders are able to read at grade level, and Michigan’s fourth grade reading ranking fell from 21st in the nation in 2022 to 32nd in 2024. That’s unacceptable.
“I will fight for a responsible state budget that invests in our students and local roads, protects our communities, and makes our government more cost-effective and efficient — and does it all while providing crucial relief for all Michigan taxpayers.”
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