LANSING, Mich., Aug. 29, 2025 — A group of eight House Democrats expressed “shock and disappointment” after House Republicans passed a budget which cut $200 million from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and eliminated over $20 million meant to ensure access to safe drinking water. The budget also prevents funding to EGLE’s Water Resources Division unless the department agrees to weaken their standards for what is considered unsafe and/or toxic levels of PFAS contamination.

On Tuesday, Democrats were given under one hour to review an 800-page proposed budget. Shortly thereafter, the budget proposal was brought to the floor for a vote, where House Republicans praised the bill. At this point, with virtually no time to read the 800-page proposal, and subsequently no idea what was in the budget, members of the Democratic Caucus were forced to vote no.

“The way this budget was handled was really quite indicative of what Republican leadership looks like. It is sloppy, shortsighted and unprofessional,” said state Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing). “Yet, the Republicans’ handling of this process is nothing compared to the tragedy of what is contained inside this 800-page budget.”

After missing Michigan’s statutory budget deadline by nearly two months, House Republicans finally presented a budget that included unprecedented cuts across nearly every department, as well as countless provisions that are harmful to both Michigan’s rural and urban populations.

“So many aspects of this budget are irresponsible, yet the idea that we should conduct less testing on our drinking water, and that we should raise the amount of toxic chemicals that we allow in our drinking water, is simply asinine,” said state Rep. Denise Mentzer (D-Mt. Clemens). “I mean, who in the world asks for more chemicals in their water? It’s insane.”

As Planet Detroit notes in their recent article on the budget, in a 2021 Michigan State University poll, 71% of self-identified Republicans and Independents expressed support or strong support for protecting streams and wetlands, while the number for Democrats was 86%.

“Not only are these changes to our state’s drinking water standards reckless and dangerous, they are also wildly unpopular,” said state Rep. Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn). “Time and time again, the people of this state have made it clear: we should be doing everything we can to protect our state’s natural resources, and we especially do not want toxic chemicals anywhere near, much less in, our water.”

“Their current plan is to cut roughly 20% off every state department for road funding. Cutting health care, children’s food programs and funding to ensure we have safe drinking water does not make sense to me,” said state Rep. Jennifer Conlin (D-Ann Arbor Charter Twp.). “Nothing should come  at the expense of Michiganders’ health and well-being.”

Many of the Republican cuts to Michigan’s drinking water standards fall right in line with moves by the federal government in recent months. Back in May, the Trump administration delayed and rescinded a number of PFAS drinking water limits that the Biden administration had implemented to protect Americans from the potential dangers of PFAS.

“It sure feels like a slap in the face, but at the same time, it’s just more of the same Republican pandering to Trump that we have seen so much since he was elected last November,” said state Rep. Morgan Foreman (D-Ann Arbor). “It’s pretty hard to be shocked in today’s political climate, but I think almost every Michigander would agree that Republicans wanting more carcinogens in our drinking is a shocking thing for them to admit.”

“As the scientific community continues to understand more and more about PFAS and their negative impacts on humans, we should be implementing stricter standards for our drinking water and doing everything we can to remove PFAS and PFOS from our water sources,” said state Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Twp). “Instead, House Republicans are once again asking Michiganders to turn a blind eye to the scientific evidence that is right in front of their faces. It’s all really disheartening.”

The deadline for a final budget bill to be signed into law is October 1. If a bill is not signed by then, Michigan’s government will enter into a shutdown and will be unable to provide critical and life saving services to Michiganders.

“If this House Republican budget proposal is any sign of things to come, then it’s obvious to me they are actually hoping for a statewide government shutdown,” said state Rep. Veronica Paiz (D-Harper Woods). “Any budget that proposes to slash funding to keep our drinking water safe is seriously unserious and an appalling bargaining chip as final budget negotiations continue. I will make sure that all my constituents know that this language is buried deep inside their 800-page threat to endanger the health of House District 10.”

“Michigan has been a national leader in the fight against PFAS in our environment since the carcinogenic chemical was discovered in Oscoda County water. The Republicans, who dare claim they want to make America healthy again, apparently want to poison more people than ever,” state Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy) said. “House Republicans claim they are only cutting ‘waste, fraud, and abuse.’ Protecting our families from toxins in their drinking water is not wasteful; it’s critically important.”

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