LANSING Mich. (WLNS) – Michigan’s 2025 legislative session is underway with Republicans now holding the Home majority. Thursday, Home Speaker Matt Corridor launched some new methods to observe state departments and companies via the Home Oversight Committee.
Corridor says there hasn’t been sufficient transparency and accountability in Michigan’s authorities and the brand new committee construction will assist repair that. The committee is liable for keeping track of state departments and ensuring they’re operating correctly, in addition to taking a look at audits.
“We are going to get to the bottom of the misspending of government funds and also departments that are blatantly breaking the law,” Speaker Corridor says.
The Home Speaker started Thursday’s bulletins by introducing the brand new chair of the committee, Consultant Jay DeBoyer, a Republican representing Macomb County. DeBoyer stated lawmakers have to be accountable with tax payer’s cash.
“We had a $9 billion surplus a year and a half ago, it’s gone,” Rep. DeBoyer says. “That is irresponsible government.”
Republicans stated dozens of audits nonetheless must be checked out from the final session.
“I believe that is a totally irresponsible behavior and action, and that’s going to change starting today,” Rep. DeBoyer stated.
Speaker Corridor particularly referred to as out the Departments of Pure Sources and the Division of Well being and Human Companies as companies he needs the committee to look into. Six new oversight Sub-Committees had been created to focus on extra particular points together with:
Weaponization of state authorities
Youngster welfare system
Company subsidies and state investments
Public well being and meals safety
Homeland safety and overseas affect
State and native public help packages
“We’re going to be looking very carefully at the bureaucracy and the departments and understanding why is it are all these workers are working from home. And would they better serve the people of Michigan if they were in their offices,” Speaker Corridor stated.
Democrats don’t agree with the modifications. The truth is, they imagine this new committee construction will waste taxpayer {dollars}.
The chair of the Michigan Democratic Social gathering, Lavora Barnes, launched the next assertion:
Matt Corridor is plainly weaponizing his place as Speaker to assault and intimidate public servants who’re doing their jobs to make life higher for Michiganders. Corridor and his Republican caucus are serving themselves and their political agenda, as a substitute of the constituents who voted for them. Fairly than come along with Democrats to get issues accomplished for Michigan, they’re clearly positioning themselves to play partisan video games. It doesn’t matter what they attempt to pull, Michigan Dems won’t ever quit on delivering for our communities.
One other change to the committee is that it now has subpoena energy.
DeBoyer stated will probably be used solely in skilled and respectful methods, however he hopes he doesn’t have to make use of it in any respect.
“My hope is that we never have to use it,” Rep. DeBoyer stated. “My hope is that when we ask a department head for documents, or we ask an individual to come testify, that they come and testify.”
