Read the following letter I mailed out to residents of the 23rd Senate District this month about growing concerns over the impact of our national debt on Michigan residents:
Dear residents of the 23rd District,
The national debt has reached an unprecedented level, doubling in the last decade to surpass $35 trillion in 2024 — equating to roughly $93,500 per American. As this outrageous debt continues to grow, so will the burden it places on states like Michigan to serve local residents.
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), this deficit is projected to grow by trillions each year, setting the stage for an explosive increase over the next decade — one unlike anything the U.S. has ever faced.
While the federal government is responsible for managing the national debt, state governments, including Michigan, will be significantly impacted as they develop budgets, allocate resources, and plan for future needs. This reality must shape how we approach state-level spending and fiscal responsibility.
Following World War II, the U.S. reduced its debt-to-GDP ratio from over 100% to 25% over a period of three decades. However, circumstances were vastly different then; much of the global economy was in ruins, giving the U.S. an economic advantage. Today, the global landscape has shifted, with nations like China rivaling the U.S. in economic size and projected growth.
As the U.S. grapples with these economic challenges, state governments like Michigan’s are confronted with difficult “opportunity cost” decisions. Federal fiscal policies could have monumental consequences for states like Michigan. With a limited budget, prioritizing one initiative means sacrificing another.
For example, Social Security beneficiaries in Michigan may receive their lowest cost-of-living adjustment increase since 2021. According to The Senior Citizens League, a recent survey of over 2,100 seniors revealed that nearly 80% have faced rising costs in essentials like food, housing and prescription drugs.
Additionally, 65% reported increased monthly expenses. About two-thirds of seniors rely on Social Security for over half of their income, with 28% dependent on it entirely.
Core consumer prices rose 0.3% last month, indicating persistent inflationary pressure will continue to affect Michigan households. Many families across the state continue to feel the strain of high prices, despite the slower pace of inflation. These rising costs complicate our ability as a state to plan for the future, from funding essential programs to investing in infrastructure.
At the state level, Michigan’s government will have to grapple with these “opportunity cost” decisions in a more direct way than ever before. Limited resources mean that prioritizing one initiative often means cutting funding for another. These are real trade-offs we must consider.
For instance, do we continue meeting our obligations like Social Security and Medicare for Michigan’s seniors, or do we choose to divert these funds to other globalist priorities?
Do Michiganders want to prioritize funding to keep our local communities safe or provide federal and state benefits to the current 17 million immigrants illegally in the U.S.?
Do Michiganders want to upgrade our state’s decidedly third-rate critical infrastructure — roads, electrical grids and water systems — or do we want to give billions to multinational companies that may not prioritize our local needs?
Do we want to impose massive tax increases on our taxpayers to fund the globalist agenda or do we focus on addressing Michigan’s most pressing needs first?
These are important questions we, as Michigan taxpayers, need to address to understand and prioritize “opportunity cost” when it comes to our limited resources.
As your state senator, I will continue to work to put your priorities first — whether that’s protecting our seniors, investing in our infrastructure or safeguarding your hard-earned tax dollars.
Sincerely,
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