Nik Rajkovic / news@whmi.com

Michigan House Republicans continue their "deep dive" into Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's proposed budget, with the Democratic-controlled Senate approving an $86 billion spending plan last week -- an increase of $3.5 billion over the previous budget.

The state budget was $58 billion when Gov. Whitmer assumed office in 2019. Michigan's Democratic majority began its tenure in 2023 with $9 billion in surplus money.

State Rep. Ann Bollin chairs the House Appropriations Committee. She told PBS' "Off the Record" the Senate's budget is "irresponsible."

"It puts us in a place, not only have we increased our spending over last year, but it's billions of dollars above where (the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference) thinks we are, that we're going to go into a deficit," she said.

"As you know, we can't present a budget that puts us in a deficit. So, we're going to have work really hard to reel it all back."

Bollin says that means trimming the pork and special earmarks.

"I think that we can make cuts without jeopardizing education, public safety, our veterans, making sure the prisons can run," she said. "I would do clawbacks on many of those earmarks. There needs to be more accountability in state government."

Lawmakers face a July 1 deadline to allow Michigan school districts time to adopt their own spending plans.

"I think that the school budget, higher ed, community colleges are at the top of the list," Bollin added. "We do have a stopgap measure, which is some form or insurance."

"House Republicans, what we passed out of the House in that measure, was an increase in the student foundation -- $400 more. Higher than what the executives recommend, and higher than what's come out of the Senate."

Bollin's appearance on "Off the Record" is linked below.