LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Joseph Bellino on Friday voted against a fiscal year 2026 budget plan that relies on higher taxes on businesses and dangerous cuts to local governments.
“I support increasing funding to fix our local roads and improve our schools so our children can succeed — but I cannot support a budget that makes devastating cuts to local governments and includes $960 million in increased taxes,” said Bellino, R-Monroe. “I voted against taking away tax relief that small businesses were going to get in Michigan as a result of President Trump’s tax reforms, and I voted no on a new 24% tax on marijuana that will lead to job losses across our state — especially in border communities. I also voted against cutting funding from our locals, which will jeopardize local services and public safety.
“While I strongly supported many of the priorities in this budget, I believe Michigan families and job providers deserve better.”
House Bill 4706 is the general omnibus budget that funds all non-education segments of state government. Senate Bill 166 is the School Aid omnibus budget bill that provides funding for the state’s K-12 schools, the state’s public universities and local community colleges.
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