LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Two bills signed into law this week will force Michigan lawmakers into the spotlight and require them to let taxpayers know how politicians want to spend public money.

What are the new laws?

The laws require legislatively directed spending be posted online 45 days before a final vote. In addition, the laws require legislators to disclose details about sponsored projects and include a conflict-of-interest statement. It prevents for-profit businesses from getting earmarks and prohibits newly created nonprofits without a strong track record from receiving grants.

Whitmer’s own transparency woes.

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Gov. Whitmer signed these new bills into law in the shadow of her own transparency trouble. Attorney General Dana Nessel is investigating a kickback scheme tied to Whitmer, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), and a Democratic donor.

In 2022, Gov. Whitmer encouraged the Legislature to allocate grant money to Faye Beydoun, her friend and Democratic donor. Beydoun, who also served on the MEDC board, used taxpayer money for a $500,000 yearly paycheck to run her nonprofit. She also spent the money on frivolous items, like a $4,500 coffee maker.

“Put your name on this.”

According to Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township), the new laws will prevent “pork” spending and last minute deals that waste taxpayer money. Hall spoke on The Steve Gruber Show on Thursday about the new measures.

“You must disclose the public purpose,” Rep. Hall told Gruber. “You must be proud enough to put your name on this, and you have to disclose it 45 days before any vote.”

Rep. Hall explained that much of the egregious overspending of taxpayer money can be traced back to COVID-19. That’s when billions of federal dollars flowed into the state under the guise of helping people through the pandemic and Gov. Whitmer’s random lockdowns that hurt schools and businesses. The Democrats in charge during that time also blew through a $9 billion state surplus.

“We’re reining [in the spending] and now they’ll be forced to disclose it,” Rep. Hall said.