Capitol News

State Representative Jennifer Wortz supported the recent state budget agreement, which passed both legislative chambers and is now awaiting the governor’s signature. The budget includes new accountability measures for the Secretary of State and Attorney General’s offices, funding for rural healthcare, nearly $2 billion in additional spending on roads, and targeted reductions to overall state expenditures.

“I was pleased to support a budget agreement that implemented a historic accountability framework within state government,” said Wortz, R-Quincy. “Departments like those managed by the Secretary of State and Attorney General will no longer be able to operate in the shadows. Other departments will no longer have access to unchecked slush funds created when they drastically and intentionally ask for funding for too many full-time employees.”

The plan aims to address inefficiencies by cutting waste, fraud, and abuse. One major change is the elimination of 2,000 so-called ghost government employees—positions requested but never filled—which has saved hundreds of millions of dollars. These savings have been redirected toward priorities intended to benefit residents across Michigan.

The budget also allocates $250 million in grants for rural hospitals. This funding is designed to help underserved hospitals remain stable over time and provide quality care throughout Michigan.

Additionally, starting this year, almost $2 billion more will be invested in roads as part of the state budget. The increased funding is intended to improve local roads and bridges while ensuring that fuel taxes are used specifically for road repairs.