AFP-MI Blasts Whitmer for Rejecting Zero-Tax Budget as Shutdown Nears

Sep 17, 2025 by AFP

State director: Governor is playing politics with Michigan’s future

LANSING, MI – As Michigan’s September 30 budget deadline approaches, Americans for Prosperity–Michigan (AFP-MI) is calling out Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for rejecting a responsible, zero-tax-increase plan and instead putting families at risk of higher taxes, mounting debt, and budget gimmicks.

Yesterday, the governor said she will not consider the Michigan House’s budget proposal, which includes no new taxes. This comes after being out of the country for two weeks and less than two weeks before the October 1 shutdown deadline.

AFP-MI State Director Tim Golding issued the following statement:

“Governor Whitmer is playing politics with Michigan’s future. Families and job creators cannot afford a rushed budget deal that piles on higher taxes, deeper debt, and gimmicks that kick the can down the road. The House plan proves we can finalize a budget with zero tax increases. That should be the starting point, not dismissed out of hand.

“A responsible budget means keeping retirement promises made to teachers, state troopers, and state employees, and fixing our roads, without punishing workers or pushing today’s problems onto our kids’ futures. Governor Whitmer should stop putting politics first and start putting Michiganders first.”

AFP-MI is demanding genuine collaboration that delivers a budget rooted in fiscal responsibility, protects taxpayers, and ensures long-term prosperity for Michigan.