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State Representative Joseph Pavlov played a key role in passing Michigan’s new state budget, which was signed into law last week. The budget introduces nearly $2 billion in additional annual funding for local road and bridge repairs, as well as record-high funding for local schools. According to Pavlov, these increases were made possible by reducing overall state spending through reforms aimed at eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse within government.

“This budget made government in Lansing tighten its belt so we could provide more for our top priorities here in our community,” said Pavlov. “We cut unnecessary programs and eliminated thousands of funded but unfilled positions in empty buildings so we could help our kids and fix our broken roads. Those are the things government should actually be working on.”

The approved budget includes several major changes:

Lawmakers identified approximately $1 billion in ongoing permanent cuts to state departments by targeting inefficient or redundant programs. These savings have been redirected to fund improvements to roads and schools.

The state will now allocate nearly $2 billion more each year toward road infrastructure, with a focus on local community roads rather than just state highways. The agreement also ensures that all fuel tax revenue is used specifically for road repairs.

After previous reductions to school safety and mental health funding last year, the new budget restores $321 million for these initiatives to support students across Michigan.

Additionally, the plan sets aside $26 million for infrastructure upgrades at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, including runway replacement. This investment supports preparations for a new fighter jet mission secured by President Trump and aims to ensure the base remains operationally ready.

“I listened to what people in our area cared about, and then I made sure we took care of those things first,” Pavlov said. “That’s how you get a budget that delivers better value for your tax dollars and that makes life better for the people who live here. We showed government can live within its means and still solve problems, if the leaders in Lansing can choose real priorities and make tough decisions. I’m glad the plan we came up with reflects that.”

The state House passed the budget on October 3, with the governor signing it into law on October 7.