Steve Cortes, CNN Political Commentator (left) & Ken Borton, Michigan House Representative (right) | Facebook
Steve Cortes, CNN Political Commentator (left) & Ken Borton, Michigan House Representative (right) | Facebook
State Representative Ken Borton has expressed his intention to implement significant revisions to the Senate's proposed 2026 budget for the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). The $159 million proposal includes a placeholder for tariff relief grants, allocates $250,000 for a tariff monitoring program, adds 25 new full-time employees, and increases the department's funding by over $2.5 million.
Borton criticized the Senate's approach, stating, “It’s like the Senate heard the governor say we need to make cuts and did the exact opposite.” He chairs the House committee responsible for overseeing MDARD's budget. According to Borton, "Not only did they grow state government in both scope and size, but they’re also playing politics and trying to weaponize our tax dollars against the Trump Administration."
He further commented on tariffs as a federal issue designed to enhance jobs and purchasing power within the U.S., arguing that Michigan should not utilize its tax dollars to influence federal policymaking. Borton emphasized that “The Senate should be less focused on what the president’s doing and more focused on how to help farmers here in Michigan,” noting issues such as long wait times and inconsistent enforcement within state departments.
The proposed budget would increase MDARD's funding from just under $157 million in 2025 to over $159 million in 2026. Overall, the Senate's budget proposal stands at $84.6 billion, exceeding the previous year's budget by more than $2 billion.
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