Michigan’s Missing Millions: Where Is Taxpayer Money Really Going?

by: John Clore | 3/14/2025 at 8:23 AM

How Do We Know That Michigan’s Taxpayer Dollars Are Going “Missing”?

While some of Michigan’s wasteful spending is publicly reported, a major issue is the lack of transparency in state budgets, making it difficult to track exactly where all taxpayer money is going. Here’s how we know there’s a problem:

1. Untraceable DEI Spending

Michigan’s state budget does not explicitly list DEI expenditures, making it difficult to track how much money is truly being spent on these programs.
Lawmakers like State Sen. Jim Runestad have called out the lack of line-item DEI spending transparency, meaning millions could be funneled into unnecessary programs without taxpayer oversight.
University DEI Budgets Alone Exceed $250M: The University of Michigan previously allocated nearly $250 million toward DEI initiatives. At Michigan State University, at least $18 million per year is spent on DEI staffing alone, raising questions about the scale of these programs across the state.
- Source: Read Lion

2. Federal Audits Have Uncovered “Lost” COVID Relief Funds

In 2022, a federal audit found that Michigan officials failed to account for millions in COVID-19 relief funds.
Some “duplicate payments” were sent to the same entities, while other funds were never properly documented or spent.
These funds were meant for public health, small business support, and education, yet millions remain unaccounted for.
- Source: Michigan Auditor General Report

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3. Billions Allocated to Green Energy—But No Transparency

Michigan was promised $21 billion in federal green energy funding, but much of it has now been rescinded or frozen.
$500M was allocated for EV battery plants with potential CCP ties, but where is that money now?
$20B was earmarked for utility companies like DTE & Consumers Energy, yet ratepayers are still facing higher costs.
- Source: Michigan Public

4. Wasteful Spending on Questionable Projects

The 2023 Michigan budget included $2.9 million for e-bike incentives and $7.5 million for drones—expenses that many lawmakers deemed unnecessary and wasteful while roads and public services remain underfunded.
- Source: Bridge Michigan

Conclusion: Why It Matters

Michigan taxpayers are paying record amounts in taxes, but at the same time:

We cannot track how much money is truly going into DEI and “woke” programs.
Federal audits have already flagged “lost” COVID relief funds.
Billions in green energy funds are disappearing into corporate black holes.
State spending is prioritizing political pet projects over taxpayer needs.

So, where is the money really going? Until there is full budget transparency, Michigan residents will continue to pay more and receive less in return.

Would you like me to refine this further or add more specific financial breakdowns?