Monroe Review

State Rep. Jamie Thompson has voted in favor of a House budget plan that aims to fund key projects in the Downriver area, address infrastructure needs, and support families without increasing taxes.

The $78.5 billion proposal allocates funds for road repairs, introduces tax cuts for working families, establishes a new Public Safety Trust Fund, and increases support for students. The plan does not raise taxes or add new fees.

“Workers and families I talk with are struggling to pay for groceries or medical bills. They can’t afford more taxes and more fees to help cover increased government spending that doesn’t address their priorities,” said Thompson, who represents Brownstown. “Our budget plan doesn’t follow this totally tone-deaf approach. It cuts waste to deliver better local roads, more support for students, enhanced public safety investments, and more. This is a tailored plan to deliver the best value for tax dollars for residents and communities. It’s not a plan that supports bigger government.”

Thompson advocated for specific local investments within the budget proposal: $5 million is designated for upgrades at Wayne County’s emergency operations center; $1.5 million will go toward improvements at Rockwood’s wastewater treatment plant; and $1 million will fund a new fire truck in Flat Rock. Additionally, $27 million is earmarked for rail-grade separation projects—a priority Thompson has highlighted since taking office.

Earlier in June, the House passed a K-12 education budget totaling $21.9 billion—an amount higher than proposals from both the Senate and governor's office. The House's education plan increases per-pupil funding from $9,608 to $12,000 and allows school districts greater flexibility in how they use these resources. This shift is intended to help schools address their individual needs with options such as free lunches for all students, improved transportation services, updated textbooks, as well as before- and after-school programs.

Thompson also noted efforts by House Republicans to reduce state government size by eliminating unfilled positions and redirecting those funds toward roads and schools. Over 4,300 so-called “phantom” jobs were cut from state department budgets—positions requested but left vacant—which freed up $560 million now targeted at core services rather than administrative overheads or recurring political expenditures.

“There was unprecedented transparency for taxpayers as we worked on this budget plan,” Thompson said. “We held over 130 hours of hearings and every local funding request was vetted by a House committee. We went line by line to find savings for taxpayers. This is a responsible, balanced budget that is going to position workers, families and our state for success.”

The proposed budget now moves forward to the Senate.