Governor Whitmer Header

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  * 

November 18, 2025 

Contact: [email protected]  

  

*Governor Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bills to Increase Government Transparency and Protect Taxpayer Dollars in State Budgets, Delivering on Promises Made* 

"Other bills will protect against political violence and support animal conservation efforts" 

 

*LANSING, Mich. --* Today, Governor Whitmer signed two bipartisan bills that will increase transparency in Michigan’s government, ensuring Michiganders know how their tax money is being spent. Governor Whitmer has been committed to increasing transparency in government since taking office. Earlier this year, she called for a plan to increase transparency on legislative earmarks in her State of the State address [ [link removed] ]. Later, she put forward a larger plan [ [link removed] ] to expand oversight and transparency over earmarks. Governor Whitmer also signed two other bills that will enhance protections for Michigan lawmakers from political violence and support local zoos. Including today’s legislation, Governor Whitmer has signed a record 1,536 bipartisan bills into law since taking office. 

 

“Since I took office, I’ve been committed to increasing transparency in our government, so Michiganders know exactly where their hard-earned dollars are going,” said *Governor Whitmer*. “That’s why I made a promise to increase transparency on legislative earmarks in my most recent State of the State. Less than a year later, I’m proud to sign these two bills that requires lawmakers to put their names on any projects they propose. I’ll keep working with anyone to serve Michiganders and increase transparency in our government." 

 

“Since taking office, we have been committed to building a transparent, responsive state government that works for Michiganders,” said *Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II*. “These bills will help increase transparency on legislative earmarks and ensure Michiganders know where their hard-earned dollars are going. Let’s keep Standing Tall for more transparency in government.” 

 

“Michiganders deserve the transparency of knowing where their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent. That’s why I’m proud that my Senate Democratic colleagues and I championed this legislation — which passed with bipartisan support — to require all earmarks and enhancement grants to be publicly disclosed before the passage of the state budget,” said *Senate Majority Leader* *Winnie Brinks *(D-Grand Rapids). “Today’s signing of this legislation into law underscores our continued commitment to ensuring our government remains accountable and accessible to the folks we’ve been entrusted to serve.”   

 

*Senate Bill 596*, sponsored by state Senator Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), will ensure public money is spent fairly and transparently. The bill sets requirements for Michigan lawmakers to follow when directing state money to specific local projects or organizations, also known as earmarks or Legislatively Directed Spending Items (LDSIs). Specifically, the bill requires the Legislature to post all LDSI requests online at least 45 days prior to a final vote on legislation containing the LDSI, post updates on how the money is being used, and adds oversight for funding. Additionally, the bill defines what an LDSI is, guidelines on who can get the money, and a timeline for requests.  

 

“Budgets are moral documents — a clear statement of our values and priorities. Senate Democrats have been clear on our values since day one, including the belief that every Michigander should have a clear view of how their tax dollars are being spent," said *Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony* (D-Lansing). “In my first budget as Appropriations Chair, we required every lawmaker to clearly put their name behind the investments they championed for their communities. Now, with this legislation, we’re taking another important step in ensuring government officials remain accountable to the people they serve." 

 

*House Bill 4420*, sponsored by state Representative Tom Kunse (R-Clare), is tie-barred to Senate Bill 596, ensuring public money is spent fairly and transparently. Specifically, the bill ensures LDSIs are disclosed to the public and includes specific information, including the sponsoring legislator’s name, intended grant recipient, amount requested, public purpose, and more. As such, the bill requires lawmakers to sponsor projects like improvements to fire stations, roads, or schools. The bill also requires certification by a sponsoring legislator as well as additional information if the recipient is a nonprofit. 

 

"Good governance begins with honesty, and honesty begins with transparency – no matter which party holds the gavel,” said *state Representative Tom Kunse*.  

*Governor Whitmer’s Commitment to Upholding Transparency* 

Since taking office, Governor Whitmer has made historic investments in increasing government transparency. In 2023 [ [link removed] ], she signed budget bills [ [link removed] ] with the first-ever requirement for public disclosure of earmark sponsorship. The bills ensured transparency comes after the budget it signed, but with the signing of today’s bills, transparency is required before the budget is voted on.  

 

She has also:  


* Voluntarily [ [link removed] ] disclosed public calendars, federal income tax returns, and personal financial information. 

* Signed executive directives to:   

* Require reporting of irregularities relating to public money or public property [ [link removed] ] to ensure state government is transparent and accountable to taxpayers.    

* Establish high standards of ethical conduct for employees [ [link removed] ] within the executive branch to ensure public confidence in state government leaders.    

* Prohibit the solicitation and receipt of political contributions [ [link removed] ] in all state government facilities to curtail improper political influence.   

* Prohibit the use of private email [ [link removed] ] for the conduct of state business within the executive branch to ensure transparency in state government activities.   

* Strengthen the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act [ [link removed] ] by closing loopholes, establishing liaisons to facilitate public requests, and modernizing access to public records [ [link removed] ].  

* Signed a bill to expand transparency and accountability [ [link removed] ] by ensuring government bodies create and maintain audio recordings of their meetings.  

* Signed bills [ [link removed] ] implementing Proposal 1, improving transparency in state government.  

* Signed a bill to make the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission [ [link removed] ] more transparent by ensuring all meetings are public.  

* Signed bills [ [link removed] ] increasing transparency for elected officials by strengthening requirements for financial disclosures.  

* Signed executive order [ [link removed] ] streamlining state boards, councils, and commissions.  

 

*Other Bills* 

 

*House Bill 5092*, sponsored by state Representative Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar), will support animal conservation efforts in the state. Specifically, the bill creates a new rule, stating that if a zoo has been in “good standing” for the past five years, they can get a state breeding license. This allows them to breed large carnivores like lions, tigers, and bears. Overall, the bill revises the rules to be more consistent with federal standards, ensuring zoos can continue their work without unnecessary red tape. 

 

*House Bill 5055*, sponsored by state Representative Sarah Lightner (R-Springport), will reduce the threat of political violence towards Michigan lawmakers by expanding the jurisdiction of House and Senate sergeants at arms to locations outside of the Capitol and legislative buildings when legislators are present and allowing sergeants at arms to investigate credible threats against their safety.  

 

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