Letter from Matt Hall, Speaker of the House

(Click here to see the original version of Matt Hall’s letter.)

I’ve said from the beginning that the people of Michigan deserve a government that is open, honest, and accountable. Last week, we delivered once again on that commitment.

Too often, major budget decisions have been made by Lansing insiders without the public having a real chance to see what is in a bill or how it will impact them. That is not how the government should function, and it is not the standard our residents expect.

With the Hall Ethics Accountability and Transparency (HEAT) plan officially passed, we are delivering the strongest transparency reform Michigan has seen in decades. Under this new policy, every budget earmark must be publicly available for 45 days before any vote can take place. This gives families, local officials, and community organizations the chance to review how Lansing is spending your money, ask questions, and make their voices heard. It ensures that the people, not special interests or backroom deals, drive the conversation.

This historic change is simple, but it is powerful:

• No more rushed budget bills at the eleventh hour.
• No more scrambling to understand the fine print of a major proposal.
• No more shoving millions of dollars in anonymous spending projects into the budget.

With HEAT, the budget process becomes more transparent and more predictable for the people who rely on us to get things right.

Republicans promised Michiganders more openness in their government, and we are delivering on that promise. HEAT brings accountability to the forefront and strengthens the trust between communities and the Capitol. When taxpayers can see exactly how their money is being spent, they can better hold Lansing accountable..

I am proud of this step forward and grateful for everyone who believes in the importance of transparency in Lansing. Together, we are building a culture where the government works in full view of the public, and the public gets better results.