This is the first in a six-part series outlining Rep. Doug Wozniak’s responses to key issues raised in the governor’s 2026 State of the State address.

State Rep. Doug Wozniak responded this week to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State address, focusing on the issue of affordability.

Wozniak noted the irony of the governor highlighting affordability as one of her key priorities in her final year in office when state spending under her administration has increased by more than 40 percent and her recent budget recommendation proposes an $800 million increase in taxes and fees along with a $400 million withdrawal from the state’s rainy-day fund.

“Affordability begins with responsible budgeting,” said Wozniak (R-Shelby Township). “If the governor is serious about lowering costs for Michiganders, she should start with a spending plan that cuts back on wasteful spending and unnecessary programs and requires state government to live within its means.”

Wozniak said last year House Republicans provided the roadmap by cutting hundreds of millions of dollars in waste, fraud, and abuse from the state budget and ensuring taxpayer dollars were invested in core priorities that truly benefit Michigan residents: roads, schools, and public safety.

“We will follow the same plan this year,” Wozniak said. “There is still plenty of waste to cut and a lot more we can do to put taxpayer dollars where they belong.”

Wozniak also pointed to the tax cuts House Republicans secured last year, which eliminated state taxes on tips, overtime pay, and Social Security income.

“This was in direct response to the reality that household budgets are under pressure and working families and seniors need relief,” Wozniak said. “These tax cuts alleviate some of that pressure by allowing them to keep more of what they earn.”

Wozniak noted the governor touted these tax cuts in her speech but failed to mention that House Republicans led the effort to get them done.

Wozniak said that this year he will continue working to address the high cost of living in Michigan, pointing to rising property taxes, housing costs, and utility bills as some of the main drivers of Michigan’s affordability crisis.

“The governor touched on these issues in her speech, however, she failed to put forward any substantive solutions,” Wozniak said. “Michigan residents need broad, meaningful relief, and that’s exactly what we’re going to deliver.”

Wozniak emphasized the plan recently unveiled by Speaker of the House Matt Hall to deliver significant property tax relief for Michigan families and businesses as part of a broader affordability agenda House Republicans are advancing to lower costs across the board, including lowering monthly utility bills and expanding housing supply so more families can afford to buy a home.

“I will continue working with my colleagues to lower costs and deliver meaningful relief for Michigan families,” Wozniak said.