Ann Arbor Times

Senator Jon Bumstead, the Senate Appropriations Minority Vice Chair representing Norton Shores, released a statement after the Michigan Senate approved the state’s 2026 fiscal year budget. Bumstead emphasized that the budget was crafted through bipartisan cooperation and aims to address key issues facing Michigan residents.

“It may have taken extra time to get it here, but we have passed a responsible budget that puts Michiganders first by working to reduce wasteful spending and focusing on our shared priorities, such as fixing the roads, investing in our schools and public safety and providing meaningful tax relief,” Bumstead said.

He noted that the new budget reverses a trend of rising expenditures over recent years. “This budget puts an end to the unsustainable trend that saw our state’s spending increase by over 40% during the past six years, and it’s nearly $800 million less than the state’s share of last year’s spending. Additionally, we have increased spending transparency that will protect taxpayers’ dollars,” he stated.

Bumstead highlighted infrastructure funding as a central element: “This budget invests almost $2 billion into fixing local roads that we drive on to school and work each day. It provides a record increase in per-pupil funding and gives our schools more flexibility on how to best spend those dollars — and it provides funding for school safety and mental health support.”

The senator also pointed out provisions aimed at tax relief for residents. “This budget also provides countless Michigan families and seniors with real tax relief by eliminating taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security,” he said.

“Like families across Michigan, state government must live within its means. We have passed a budget that works for the hardworking taxpayers of this state,” Bumstead concluded.