LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Mark Huizenga on Thursday voted against a fiscal year 2025 budget plan that relies on taking $670 million out of the state’s teacher retirement fund and increasing personal income taxes by $700 million.
“West Michigan families and workers need a state spending plan that puts their tax dollars to effective use solving problems.” said Huizenga, R-Walker. “This fiscally irresponsible budget fails our students and their teachers. It reduces student mental health funding and takes $670 million from the teacher retirement fund — and failing to pay the debt could put teacher retirement benefits in jeopardy and ultimately means less money going into classroom to educate our students.
“I am a strong advocate for schools and have never voted against an education budget, but I cannot in good conscience support a state spending plan that harms our students, their teachers and Michigan taxpayers.”
House Bill 5507 is a school aid omnibus budget bill providing funding for the state’s K-12 schools, the state’s public universities and local community colleges. Senate Bill 747 is a general omnibus budget bill funding all non-education segments of state government.
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