SE Oakland News

Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt of Porter Township has criticized the 2026 fiscal year omnibus budget passed by the Michigan Senate, stating that it contains excessive spending and does not provide enough support for families in the state. After voting against the budget early Friday morning, Nesbitt released a statement addressing his concerns.

“I commend House Republicans for their efforts on this budget, especially given that they were forced to negotiate with an absent governor and a Senate Democrat majority unable to demonstrate an ounce of leadership. However, at the end of the day, this budget doesn’t do enough to help ease the burdens on families, farmers, small businesses and our kids so they can make it in Michigan. This clearly demonstrates the need for a new majority in the Michigan Senate and a Republican governor,” Nesbitt said.

In a separate vote related to road funding, Nesbitt supported reallocating state gasoline tax revenue entirely toward infrastructure improvements. He explained his position by saying: “One hundred percent of the tax money Michigan drivers pay at the pump should go to fixing the roads — period. I voted to add $2 billion in road funding by taking money away from waste, fraud and abuse — not from families that are struggling to make it in Michigan.”

Nesbitt’s comments reflect ongoing debates within Michigan’s legislature over how best to allocate state resources and address key issues such as infrastructure and economic relief for residents.