State Reps. Jamie Thompson and Rylee Linting are taking the lead on using tax dollars responsibly, instead of directing them towards sanctuary policies and individuals who are violating federal immigration laws.

Linting’s bill, House Bill 4340, states those in the country illegally would not be qualified to receive social welfare grants or participate in taxpayer-funded human services programs. Thompson’s plan, HB 4341, does the same for housing-specific programs. Both plans were advanced today by the House Government Operations Committee.

“Taxpayer dollars should not be used to reward people who broke the law to come here while cutting others in line who are attempting to establish status in our country legally,” said Linting, of Grosse Ile. “Unfortunately, state programs continue to use people’s hard-earned tax money to offer these types of services to those without legal status. That’s extremely unfair to people across our Downriver community who are struggling with their own budgets every day and are paying into these programs. These are commonsense bills that protect and respect taxpayers.”

The legislators noted the governor’s Newcomer Rental Subsidy Program that offers up to $500/month in rent to individuals who are in the country illegally – including those who filed last-minute asylum claims just to delay deportations.

“Housing dollars should be focused on helping seniors, working families, veterans and people who are trying to get back on their feet,” said Thompson, of Brownstown, when testifying on the plans before the House Government Operations Committee. “We have veterans living in cars. We have mothers working two jobs just to afford a motel room to house themselves and their children. Michigan’s resources are not unlimited. Every dollar we allocate to public housing, every rental voucher we use, and every unit we subsidize are lifelines for the people of Michigan. When we spread them too thin, our most vulnerable get left behind. My bill reflects a value that many of our constituents share: that public benefits funded by taxpayers should first serve those who are legally part of our communities. This is about fairness and fulfilling our moral obligation to the citizens of this state who have followed the rules and need these benefits the most.”

The bills now move to the full House for consideration.

PHOTO INFORMATION: State Reps. Rylee Linting (left) and Jamie Thompson offer testimony on House Bills 4340-41 before the House Government Operations Committee on Thursday, April 24.