Note: The following column was published by the Detroit News on Wednesday, April 29:

The people I represent in Monroe and Wayne counties and those across the state have been consistent in their shared message: the cost of living has become a huge problem.

If we’re serious about making Michigan affordable and helping workers and families who are struggling, we must work in Lansing to tackle issues that are severely impacting people’s budgets. It’s a sizable list, and energy bills, along with being able to afford a home, are right there at the top.

Legislation I am sponsoring in the House will lower property taxes, reduce monthly bills and remove barriers to home ownership. Our reforms will save Michigan families more than $1,100 every year, with nearly $5 billion being returned to taxpayers. That is real money staying in the pockets of Michiganians ― whether they are a homeowner, renter, senior living on a fixed income, or a small business owner yearning to grow and hire more workers.

The plans eliminate the real estate transfer tax and fix pop-up taxes. There should never be a penalty for buying or selling your own home, but that’s exactly what happens today as people in many cases are forced to pay thousands of dollars.

Right now, someone purchasing a $300,000 home pays about $2,250 in transfer taxes. Immediately afterwards, they can face a large increase in property taxes if the prior owner’s taxes were capped. These two policies together create financial shock, especially for families who are already stretched thin because they’ve been saving for a down payment and paying moving costs. Seniors who want to downsize, young families buying their first home, and workers relocating for better opportunities are all discouraged by these hidden costs. Our plans address both these issues to make it easier for people to find a home they can afford and stay in Michigan.

The reforms also eliminate the 6-mill state education tax, which works out to roughly a 14% reduction in property taxes for the average Michigan homeowner, and eliminate remaining personal property taxes for job providers. These taxes on equipment like machinery and computers, among other things, operate as a counterproductive policy for growth and delivering lower prices for consumers.

If larger industries like utilities are seeing tax relief on property, people should see lower bills. My plan requires natural gas and electric utility companies to pass down savings they will receive through these changes in the most recent tax year to the customer.

Did you know the Michigan Public Service Commission has approved $1 billion in rate hikes on utility customers since 2023? That is completely unsustainable for hardworking people and their families, and there’s no sign that these rate increases are scaling back in the years ahead without an intervention on behalf of ratepayers.

The increases stem from mandates signed into law in 2023, forcing utility companies to follow politically motivated ideology instead of focusing on what was effective and what people can afford.

Instead of having a diversified energy portfolio that kept costs lower, ensuring we have enough energy available for people to heat their homes and companies to keep their lights on, Michigan’s leaders at the time pushed for utilities to run with 100% clean energy by 2040. The result of that has been utility companies spending billions of dollars on clean energy compliance and efficiency to help meet the mandates, with costs being passed down to consumers.

For years, Lansing politicians have addressed high costs with small tweaks or rebates to provide savings for select groups. Instead of limited, temporary half-measures, our comprehensive plan will deliver meaningful relief year after year to hardworking families and job providers who are simply trying to forge a more stable life.