State Rep. Dave Prestin on Wednesday voted to adopt historic reforms to ensure transparency, accountability, and public benefit in all legislatively directed spending initiatives.

House Resolution 14 is aimed at restoring taxpayer trust and ensuring hard-earned dollars are spent wisely. It is just part of House Republicans’ renewed focus on fiscal responsibility and government accountability in the 2025-26 legislative session. The resolution passed the House unanimously.

“I am glad to support this measure to bring desperately needed transparency to the state budget process,” said Dave Prestin, R-Cedar River. “In my first year in Lansing, a $9 billion budget surplus was dwindled almost completely by earmarks and pet projects. That funding could have gone to local roads in desperate need of repair. Instead, county road commissions were left to do their best with what little they’re given, which means our roads continue to get worse.”

Over the last few years, several earmarks have even been linked to mismanagement and questionable spending. One glaring example came in 2022, when an ally of Gov. Whitmer secured a $20 million earmark for a newly created company. This taxpayer money was misused on personal luxuries, including a $4,500 coffee maker, an $11,000 first-class international plane ticket, and hundreds of thousands of dollars in excessive salaries and legal fees.

“In my first term, I was proud to proclaim my public support for the projects that I advocated for,” Prestin said. “Legislators will still be able to advocate for funding for necessary projects in their communities. Now, my colleagues will also have to support projects publicly. That’s a good thing for fiscal responsibly and government transparency. That’s what the people elected us to do.”

The resolution approved today lays out new rules for legislatively directed spending initiatives to prevent similar abuses:

• No earmarks for for-profit businesses. Direct grants will be limited to public bodies and eligible non-profits.

• Stricter non-profit eligibility. Organizations must be established in Michigan for at least three years and maintain a physical office in the state for at least one year.

• Greater accountability for sponsors. Each funding request must include detailed information, including the sponsor and co-sponsors, the intended recipient’s name and location, the requested amount, the grant’s purpose, an explanation of public benefit, project timeline, and other key details.

• Conflict-of-interest protections. Sponsors must certify they have no conflicts of interest with the recipient. Family members and staff of the sponsor should not serve on the non-profit’s board or be employed by the organization.

• Stronger public oversight. Funding requests must be submitted to the House Business Office at least 14 days before consideration and made publicly available online by April 1^st.

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