Tri-City Sun

State Representative Timmy Beson from Bay City has raised concerns about certain proposals in Governor Gretchen Whitmer's recent State of the State address. Beson, who is part of the House Appropriations Committee, criticized the governor's plans for their potential financial impact on taxpayers.

Governor Whitmer outlined initiatives including two years of free community college for high school graduates, $1.4 billion allocated for housing, and incentives for green energy projects. These proposals follow a state budget exceeding $80 billion for the current fiscal year.

Beson commented on these plans, stating, "We saw record-high state spending for the current fiscal year, and the governor has doubled down on big spending with more plans that are going to cost hardworking people and small business owners more in taxes to help pay for them." He added that Michigan is competing with states that have lower taxes and less government intervention. According to Beson, this could potentially drive people away from Michigan.

With an evenly split Legislature at 54-54, Beson emphasized the importance of bipartisan efforts to advance Michigan's progress. He advocates for lowering taxes to increase residents' disposable income, investing in local infrastructure, enhancing education standards, and reforming the Unemployment Insurance Agency.

"These are priorities I hear about constantly," said Beson. "Lower taxes, good local roads and schools, and government processes that people can trust and work for them when they need them to. That’s the key to putting our state on solid footing, and proposals I am going to continue to push for in the Legislature."