Great Lakes Wire

Aric Nesbitt, a Michigan Senator, has urged Governor Gretchen Whitmer to refrain from increasing taxes, instead of claiming to reduce costs for families. This statement was made on the social media platform X.

"Instead of putting money back in peoples pockets you could just not take it from them in the first place," said Aric Young Nesbitt, State Senator for Michigan. "If you cared about lowering costs you wouldn't have fought in court to raise taxes on Michigan families."

Governor Whitmer has been in conflict with Michigan legislators regarding tax policies and the rising cost of living. She has vetoed proposals she believes would lower taxes for the wealthy while increasing healthcare, grocery, and utility bills for working families. In July 2025, Whitmer signed an executive directive to evaluate the impact of federal tariffs on household expenses and local businesses. According to the Michigan Governor’s Office, these disputes highlight growing partisan divides over economic management strategies.

Michigan's flat income tax rate returned to 4.25% in 2024. However, a Republican-backed bill (HB 4170) proposes a permanent reduction to 4.05%, contingent upon state revenue surpassing inflation rates. In fiscal year 2024, Michigan collected $13 billion in income taxes and $13.3 billion in sales/use taxes, its two largest revenue sources. These changes are central to ongoing debates about tax relief, as reported by Our Midland and the University of Michigan’s economic forecast.

Household costs in Michigan have been rising faster than national averages. The ALICE Essentials Index indicated an annual increase of 8.4% from 2021 to 2023, while the Detroit Consumer Price Index grew approximately 3% in 2024. These figures exceed U.S. inflation rates and underscore mounting stress for families struggling with essentials such as housing, food, and transportation. United for ALICE reports that these pressures have intensified demands for targeted state relief.

Nesbitt has served as a Republican senator from Michigan’s 20th District since 2019 and became Senate Minority Leader in 2023. He is also running for governor in 2026. As reported by AP News and Wikipedia, Nesbitt emphasizes lowering taxes, opposing electric vehicle mandates, and supporting manufacturing initiatives while drawing on his background growing up on a family farm.