LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Rep. Thomas Albert resigned his position as chair of the House Appropriations Committee following disagreements with leadership over spending decisions. 

“Over the past year few years, the state of Michigan has adopted budgets that greatly benefit families, communities and taxpayers. I am proud of the work we have done and know it is making our state an even place to live, work and raise a family. But today it is time for a change in leadership for the House Appropriations Committee,” announced Albert. 

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After working on the budget with the appropriations committee as the chair since 2021, Albert chose to step down regarding disagreements about the supplemental budget measures that the legislature voted on yesterday. 

“Increased government spending has fueled inflation and played a major part in the economic struggles we face today. Additional spending would just make things worse,” he said,  “The measure the Legislature is considering today is reckless and irresponsible to taxpayers, and I will be voting against it.”

Albert has since been succeeded by Rep. Mary Whiteford, who previously served as the vice chairwoman of the committee.  

On Wednesday the legislature convened to vote on a myriad of house and senate bills including Senate Bills 842 and 844 yesterday.  

Within the Senate Bill 844, the largest item approved was depositing $846.1 million into the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund – the purpose of the fund is to support the Critical Industry Program and the Michigan Strategic Site Readiness program according to the bill. 

The last meeting of the consensus revenue estimates conference found that there was forecasted to be a $7 billion dollar surplus in the state’s general and school aide funds.  Despite the surplus, Albert previously cautioned against additional spending due to the potential of a global recession. 

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“We simply do not know if tax revenues will come into the state as we anticipated previously,” Albert said, “The wise thing to do is keep money on hand to ensure we can fulfill budget commitments already signed into law, and possibly return money to Michigan taxpayers struggling with inflation. With all of the uncertainty in the economy today, we should not be making new spending commitments.”