“Amidst critical infrastructure failings and education shortcomings, throwing money at DEI programs is not the answer,” says Rep. Joseph Fox, of Fremont.

With a record-high $81.7 billion budget, Governor Whitmer and Lansing Democrats plan to leave feasts for bloated bureaucratic systems and only throw out crumbs to support Michigan families struggling from the effects of inflation.

Throughout Michigan, families have been living paycheck-to-paycheck or dipping into their savings accounts to pay for essentials like groceries, gas, and utilities. In the meantime, Democrats want to deplete our $9 billion surplus – more than our state has ever had, according to Fox.

“This is an irresponsible use of taxpayer dollars,” said Fox, of Fremont. “Our state government needs to operate like every other hard-working Michigan resident: don’t spend more than you make. This budget opens the door to financial disaster, such as potential tax increases, by spending everything in Michigan’s rainy-day fund.”

The Democrat-proposed budget includes:

• Millions of dollars in funding to various state departments in order to institute Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, focusing on cultivating political correctness instead of supporting the workforce or job-training initiatives.
• $55 million towards electric vehicle charging stations, while less than one-sixth of the state Department of Transportation (MDOT) budget will fund road repairs.
• Relatively miniscule funding for school safety and improving students’ lackluster reading, writing, and math skills.

Rep. Fox joined most House Republicans by voting ‘no’ on the state budget.

“Michigan families contend with critical problems every day, and the state budget must address them appropriately in order to secure prosperity for the present and future generations of Michigan citizens,” Fox said.

Despite Fox’s no vote, the budget passed both chambers today and now heads to the governor for further consideration.