Monroe Review

State Representative Jamie Thompson has voted in favor of a new budget agreement that she says will deliver significant benefits for Downriver communities and the state as a whole. The plan, which aims to cut government waste, includes investments in infrastructure, education, and public safety.

Thompson highlighted several local allocations she helped secure: $1.5 million for upgrades to Rockwood’s wastewater treatment plant, $1 million for a new fire truck in Flat Rock, $1 million for HYPE Athletics in Wayne County, and $5 million for the Downriver Career Technical Center. The technical center serves nine school districts and offers more than two dozen career-focused courses.

The budget also provides funding for rail-grade separation projects such as the Allen Road project—a regional priority since Thompson took office.

“This agreement puts Downriver workers and families first,” said Thompson. “It provides record investments for our students, our infrastructure and those who help keep our communities safe. It also works with federal changes to help people keep more of what they have earned.

“We did this through responsible budgeting, respecting people’s priorities and changing the reckless push for frivolous spending that we have seen so many times from state government in previous years. This is a new way forward for Michigan and this is truly a product for the people.”

Key elements of the plan include nearly $2 billion in ongoing funding to repair local roads, aiming to provide agencies with resources to address longstanding infrastructure needs. Public safety is another focus area: a new trust fund will direct $95 million this year—and $50 million annually afterward—to violence prevention initiatives across Michigan.

For education, the budget establishes per-pupil funding at $10,050 through the School Aid Fund. It also allocates $321 million toward school safety and mental health services after last year’s budget saw these funds reduced.

Tax relief measures are included as well; state taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security income would be eliminated under this agreement.

Thompson pointed out that the plan eliminates over 2,000 unfilled state positions—referred to as “ghost positions”—and reduces the taxpayer-funded budget by more than $1.1 billion compared to previous years.

“People have been clear – the spending they were seeing from government was out of control,” Thompson said. “I will not stop fighting for hardworking taxpayers and families who are concerned with their own budgets, instead of asking them to cover bigger and bigger state budgets.”

The budget plan now moves forward to the governor’s office for consideration.