House Republican Leader Matt Hall is strongly against a proposal to reduce the budget of the nonpartisan Office of the Auditor General by $8.2 million.
In her 2025 proposal, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to reduce funding by $8.2 million for the agency that has uncovered numerous issues within state agencies.
Recent audits have uncovered some important findings:
The Unemployment Insurance Agency did not carry out necessary employee background checks or promptly revoke access to databases for former employees. The Michigan Department of Education failed to fingerprint 4% of contracted staff, and 7% were not completed within the required timeframe as mandated by state law. According to the OAG, the Cannabis Regulatory Agency took an average of 196 days, and in some cases up to 757 days, to address disciplinary actions for 123 formal complaints related to licensee violations. It is crucial to conduct more frequent inspections of critical hospital infrastructure.
Auditor General Doug Ringler penned a letter to the four prominent legislative leaders, namely Democrats Sen. Winnie Brinks from Grand Rapids and House Speaker Joe Tate from Detroit, along with Republicans Sen. Aric Nesbitt from Porter Township and Hall from Richland Township. In his letter, Ringler expressed his dissatisfaction, stating that he was not given any prior notification regarding the budget cuts.
In a letter, Ringler expressed their surprise and disappointment at the lack of advance notice and direct feedback regarding the executive budget reductions. They are eager to meet with the relevant personnel to address any inquiries and collaborate towards restoring their funding. Ringler emphasized the importance of their role in offering impartial and transparent oversight and partnership.
In an email to The Center Square, Tate spokesperson Amber McCann stated:
The budget development process is still in its early stages, and the Speaker is currently reviewing the concerns raised in the Auditor General’s letter.
Hall was against the proposed budget cuts.
According to a statement by Hall, Governor Whitmer’s administration has consistently received failing grades from the investigative office. In an attempt to protect her future aspirations, she is seeking to prevent any oversight on her actions. This move is seen as a deliberate attack on the only remaining nonpartisan oversight body, as part of a budget proposal that exceeds $80 billion. Hall urges the Legislature to reject these cuts and ensure that the auditor general’s crucial work is fully funded. This work plays a vital role in shedding light on the workings of state government and helping both the people of Michigan and their elected representatives understand what is effective and what is not.
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