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State Rep. Matthew Bierlein has introduced the Taxpayer Receipt Act, House Bill 5633, in Michigan, a plan aimed at providing taxpayers with transparency and accountability regarding the use of their tax dollars. The legislation requires the Michigan State Budget Office to provide individual taxpayers with an annual single-page revenue report explaining how their tax dollars were allocated. Bierlein stated, “We have seen state budgets increase significantly over a period of several years. It’s more and more spending, and many people I talk with want to know where their hard-earned dollars are going or what they’re being used for.”

The report will detail total distributions to various funds such as the general fund, school aid fund, and transportation fund, as well as the total amount of refunds issued. Bierlein emphasized, “People want to make sure the taxes they’re paying are going into their local roads and schools or supporting law enforcement as they work to keep communities and neighborhoods safe. If those dollars are being used for pork spending, that’s valuable knowledge, too, so they can weigh whether to advocate for a different approach.”

Bierlein highlighted that this proposal aligns with efforts to enhance government transparency in the state, stating, “Part of our responsibility as legislators is being good stewards of people’s tax dollars. If we aren’t being fully transparent with that, it’s not going to be a good-faith relationship with people we’re representing.” He emphasized the importance of responsible financial management, especially in light of the significant increase in government spending observed in recent times.

The legislation, aimed at fostering a more informed and engaged taxpayer base, has been referred to the House Tax Policy Committee for further consideration.