Dear Neighbor,

The state budget process officially kicked off this month with the Governor’s executive recommendation. For those who don’t spend their days in Lansing, this is the opening move in a long negotiation that decides which priorities Michigan’s government will fund for the next year.

We’re entering this process at a time of national uncertainty from the President’s tariffs and massive reductions in federal funding to programs like Medicaid and SNAP under the One Big “Beautiful” Bill.

I view the budget as a moral document. It shows exactly what we value and who we are fighting for. While the numbers can feel distant, they represent the difference between a child learning to read on time or a family being able to afford their groceries.

Here’s where we’re starting.
  • Investing in Schools: Pushing for a record $10,300 per-pupil allowance to ensure every classroom has the resources to help our kids thrive.
  • Tackling the Literacy Crisis: Dedicating $625 million to the “MI Kids Read” initiative, providing specialized coaching and books to get every child reading on level.
  • Lowering the Cost of Living: Finishing the job of repealing the retirement tax and protecting tax credits that put thousands back into the pockets of working families.
  • Ending the “Pothole Tax”: Moving infrastructure dollars out of Lansing and into our neighborhoods to fix local roads and expand passenger rail from Detroit to Grand Rapids.
  • Defending Essential Care: Stabilizing funding for Medicaid and SNAP to protect our neighbors from losing healthcare and food assistance due to federal cuts.

Community Conversation: Panera Bread (3205 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48104) on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m.

The Budget Process: What Happens Now?

Tonight, the Governor gives her final State of the State Address. She will lay out her vision for the year and the priorities she wants the Legislature to act on. From there, my colleagues and I in the House and Senate will spend the next few months drafting our own versions of the budget.

Our goal is a balanced, bipartisan budget finished by June 30, giving our schools and local governments the certainty they need before the fall.

Let’s dive into the top priorities for our district.

Investing in Kids and Tackling the Literacy Crisis

A child’s ability to read by the third grade is one of the most important predictors of their future success. To address the literacy crisis, the Governor has proposed the “MI Kids Read” initiative.

  • Literacy Coaches: Specialized support for teachers to help every student succeed.
  • Record Funding: Pushing for a base per-pupil increase to $10,300—the highest in state history.
  • The Basics: Protecting universal school meals and expanding free Pre-K for every 4-year-old, saving families thousands in childcare and grocery costs.

Addressing the Affordability Crisis

We’re seeing it in headlines every day, and we’re all feeling it one way or another; the cost-of-living crisis is the biggest weight on most households right now. It used to be that if you worked hard and had a decent job, you could count on a stable, middle-class life.

Now? The math isn’t adding up for many Michigan families.

I hear this from young people trying to buy their first home and workers struggling to pay their rent. Essential goods, housing, childcare, and insurance, have climbed so fast that even those with “good” incomes are feeling the squeeze.

  • Tax Relief: Last term, we passed nearly $1 billion in tax relief for Michigan families. We are working to keep the Working Families Tax Credit strong and finally finishing the job of repealing the retirement tax so seniors keep more of their hard-earned pensions.
  • Housing Reform: If we truly want to bring down housing costs, we need bold reforms. I recently cosponsored a major housing reform package to support building more diverse housing options across Michigan. I also introduced legislation to STOP Private Equity from outbidding families for homes. We need to put houses back in the hands of people, not billion-dollar hedge funds.

There are practical ways the government can help make it easier to breathe at the end of the month — lawmakers just need the courage to act.

Fixing the Roads, Expanding Rail, and Strengthening Infrastructure

We all feel the results of decades of underinvestment every time we hit a pothole. It is more than just a nuisance; it is a “hidden pothole tax” on every Michigander. When you are forced to pay for a blown tire or a bent rim, you are paying the price for the state’s past inaction.

Last year, we took a historic step forward by passing a $2 billion road and transit plan. This bipartisan deal was specifically designed to move infrastructure dollars out of Lansing and directly into our neighborhoods. While the distribution of these funds begins at the end of this calendar year, this current budget is where we formally allocate those dollars to ensure they hit the ground running.

In this year’s budget, I am fighting to protect and expand that momentum. My goal is a transportation system that is accessible, affordable, and built for the future—including our continued push for the “Coast-to-Coast” passenger rail route to connect Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Grand Rapids.

How we are putting your tax dollars to work:

  • Fixing Our Neighborhood Streets: We are doubling down on our $2 billion commitment to ensure local “neighborhood” roads, not just major highways, get the repairs they deserve.
  • Connecting Michigan’s Economic Engines: By linking major hubs like Ann Arbor and Lansing via rail, we support local businesses and allow our regional economies and communities to grow together.
  • Building a 21st-Century Michigan: To attract and keep the next generation, we must offer a modern mix of safe roads, robust public transit, and reliable rail.

By sticking to our long-term investment plan rather than just “patching holes,” we are building a Michigan that is more connected, accessible, and affordable for everyone.

What Happens Next?

I want to hear from you.

As we draft the House version of the budget, I need to know: Do these priorities meet the needs of your family? Is there a priority we are missing?

Please reach out with your thoughts. I plan on spending every day until the June 30th budget deadline advocating for the people of the 23rd District to ensure it reflects your values.

I look forward to hearing from you.

In solidarity,

Jason Morgan

State Representative

Michigan’s 23rd House District

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