Rep. Ann Bollin
District/Counties: 49th/Livingston
Committees: House Appropriations Committee, Chair
Previous public service: Brighton Township Clerk, 2003-2018
MAC recently posed five questions to Rep. Ann Bollin, Repulican from Livingston County and chair of the House Appropriations Commmittee.
What is the most pressing issue facing Michigan?
Michigan will continue to face challenges in the state budget as federal regulations change and the reckless spending of days gone by is reigned in at both the state and federal level. We need to work together to resolve the literacy problem in education, invest in measures that ensure we have a strong economy that can stand the test of time, lower taxes and regulation to make life more affordable, protect our most vulnerable, and continue investments in infrastructure. Local governments need to address their needs independent of state government ― revenues are down and the days of COVID monies are over.
Michigan must tackle them all if we are to be a state of prosperity.
Based on your experience, how important are counties to the effective delivery of public services?
Counties play a vital role in the effective delivery of public services ― public safety, elections, roads and infrastructure, courts, and public health to name a few. Michigan has a broad range of counties ― we need to be nimble enough to recognize the differences and work towards solutions at the state level that allow the counties to continue to optimize and deliver quality and responsive public services.
What are you hoping to accomplish throughout the remainder of this term?
I am committed to delivering a responsible and sustainable state budget that works towards lowering the burden on taxpayers and is less than the current year budget. AND it must deliver real results for Michiganders ― making life more affordable; ensuring our kids can read and write; protecting the most vulnerable; cutting property taxes; supporting law enforcement and investing in infrastructure.
As a state legislator, what has been your biggest accomplishment?
Delivering a budget that was more transparent and accountable and one that actually cut state spending. We were able to eliminate taxes on tips, overtime and social security; provide record-setting per pupil funding; and dedicate close to $2 billion for county and local roads without raising taxes. As Appropriations chair, we found over $5 billion in waste, fraud and abuse, including 4,200 ghost employees and we will approach the next budget with the same mindset and determination to deliver for the taxpayers.
MAC has strongly supported fixing the roads. Given the timeliness of revenue collection, what do you think the timeline will be to feel the full impact of these much-needed investments?
MAC’s efforts to collaborate on solutions is greatly appreciated and I think we will begin seeing the benefits of this additional revenue in the summer of 2026. We have seen the large investments of federal COVID monies on our highways and now the ‘new’ road money will go towards the by-ways and driveways. The general public should start seeing the impact within the next two construction seasons. Our road commissions and locals have asset management plans that outline the priority projects including when to design, engineer and build/construct the