Tri-City Sun

State Representative Timmy Beson has introduced an amendment to a School Aid Fund budget plan aimed at easing financial burdens for families and school districts in Bay City. The proposed amendment would provide toll bridge reimbursements to families impacted by a new bridge toll, distributing funds through intermediate school districts in Bay and Arenac counties.

Beson expressed concern over the additional costs faced by parents who need to cross the bridge to take their children to school. "We shouldn’t force parents to pay out of pocket every time they drive their kids to school," he stated. He also highlighted the financial impact on public school buses crossing the bridge, noting that his amendment would help mitigate these expenses. "Budgets for many families in our area are tight, and they are currently being nickel and dimed every time they are helping their kids learn and prepare for their futures by getting them to and from school. That’s not right."

Despite Beson's efforts, the amendment was not adopted by the Democratic majority before advancing to the Senate as part of House Bill 5503. Additionally, other amendments proposed by Beson, including measures for increased fraud protection for the state's Unemployment Insurance Agency and funding for local projects like Stein Park construction and Kawkawlin River cleanup, were also rejected.

Beson criticized the overall budget plan for failing to adequately support families, prioritize local infrastructure, and respect taxpayers in Bay County. He argued that it focuses too much on expanding social programs and investing in green energy vehicles without considering local needs. "This budget addresses the needs of a national agenda that the governor is pushing, not the needs of hardworking people and their families in our communities," he said. "I want to see taxpayers get a good return on their investment, and these plans fall short."