Macomb Today

State Representative Doug Wozniak (R-Shelby Township) has voted in favor of Michigan’s state budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The budget includes increased funding for schools, investments in infrastructure, and new measures for government transparency.

“This budget is a win for working families, seniors, and taxpayers across Michigan,” Wozniak said. “We’re making life more affordable, fixing roads, and finally putting an end to wasteful government spending.”

Among the budget’s features is the elimination of taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security income, which aims to provide tax relief for over 500,000 workers and retirees in Michigan. The budget allocates $1.6 billion for road repairs and upgrades, focusing on using gas tax revenue for its intended purpose.

The Selfridge Air National Guard Base will receive $26 million for infrastructure improvements and runway replacement to prepare for a new fighter jet mission.

To reduce costs, the budget eliminates 2,000 unfilled government positions, redirecting funds to essential services. It also introduces full transparency for earmarks by requiring a public process for all special projects, barring earmarks for for-profit companies, and establishing permanent transparency laws.

The state’s general fund spending will be reduced by $800 million as part of efforts to decrease the size and cost of state operations.

K-12 education funding reaches a record high with $10,050 allocated per student. The budget ensures equal funding for cyber schools alongside traditional schools. There is also $321 million dedicated to school safety and mental health programs in both public and private schools.

The plan ends leases on unused office space and increases oversight of remote state workers. Upgrades to Bridge Cards with chip technology are included to improve security in the food assistance program.

No new fees are introduced in this budget; instead, any new revenue comes from marijuana sales and is matched by spending cuts elsewhere. The budget also removes political earmarks considered “pork spending,” shifting those funds toward long-term infrastructure and education needs.

“This budget is about restoring trust in how our state spends taxpayer dollars,” Wozniak said. “We’re cutting back on waste, funding real priorities, and helping Michigan families keep more of what they earn. That’s exactly what the people sent us here to do.”