LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson says that there will likely be longer strains and layoffs at places of work throughout the state if the GOP-approved Michigan price range is handed.
Benson stated the proposed price range would slash the secretary of state’s funding, leading to round 400 layoffs.
“Their proposal would force us to fire more than 400 employees,” Benson stated in an interview with 6 Information. “That’s a quarter of our department staff and would close branch offices in the state.”
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson speaks throughout a Home Administration Committee listening to within the Longworth Home Workplace Constructing on the U.S. Capitol on September 11, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Bonnie Money/Getty Photos)
She added, “That means longer lines, worse customer service, less oversight of auto repair and driving schools that would make roads less dangerous. So, as the Secretary of State and Chief Motor Vehicle Officer, I have a responsibility to talk about how their estimates would impact the people of Michigan.”
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Michigan Home Speaker Matt Corridor, R-Richland Township, stated the proposed price range would save jobs by allocating cash for street enhancements.
Michigan Home Speaker Matt Corridor speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump indicators govt orders within the Oval Workplace of the White Home on April 9, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Photos)
“The House Republican budget we just passed, which is $3.4 billion for roads, according to the Whitmer administration, would create 21,000 jobs,” stated Corridor.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has beforehand stated that the 2025-26 fiscal 12 months price range is not going to be full and not using a street funding plan. Whitmer has proposed a plan that will put $3 billion extra into roads by way of funding cuts, new income and changing the gross sales tax from gas with a revenue-neutral tax.
The price range the Home authorized depends on redirecting Basic Fund cash into roads.
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In a latest interview with Gongwer Information Service, MDOT Director Brad Wienferich stated the company’s five-year program, which is at present in draft kind, consists of extra naked bones initiatives with the restricted funding accessible.
“It’s going to be the Band-aids and duct tape and baling wire to kind of keep things going as best we can, knowing that the system is going to decline,” Wieferich instructed Gongwer. “When we have additional investment, now we can take a look at that strategy and say we still need state of good repair. Yes, we still need to do good asset management, but where are the modernization things that we can start to look at?”
The price range at present sits within the Democratic-controlled Senate, the place the deadline for approval is Sept. 30.
