GOP lawmakers make cruel cuts just ahead of the holiday season and without transparency
LANSING, Mich., Dec. 11, 2025 — Yesterday, House Republicans slashed nearly $645 million in previously negotiated program spending without allowing discussion or bipartisan input. The cut funding includes $50 million from Indigent Defense Commission grants, $18.5 million from Rx Kids, $56,600 for kids with cancer and much more. In response, state Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) issued the following statement:
“This reminds me of an age-old tale: How the Republicans Stole Christmas. This group of Republican lawmakers found an obscure loophole in state law and used it to remove funding for investments from previous budgets in order to make draconian cuts to critical programs. They claim these programs are all ‘pork’ and ‘waste, fraud and abuse,’ but they are actually vital programs for our state and communities. It’s disgusting. It’s deplorable. Republicans have acted unilaterally and without transparency to steal Christmas from all the Michiganders Down in Michiganville. Because their hearts are two sizes too small.”
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