One Year Of The Republican Tax Law And Life Is More Expensive For Michigan Working Families

One year ago, Republicans passed a law that cut taxes for the top 1% by gutting vital programs like Medicaid and SNAP. Michigan Representatives John James (MI-10), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), and Tom Barrett (MI-07) all voted for the Republican Tax Law, and Congressman Huizenga recently bragged about the legislation, which he called “transformative” for Michigan workers.  

But Michigan families haven’t seen these benefits that Rep. Huizenga is touting. Because of the Republican Tax Law and other Trump policies backed by Congressmen Barrett, James, and Huizenga, household costs in each of their districts have gone up by $3,108. And, according to an NBC analysis, “For every $1 cut from programs for low-income Americans, the wealthiest 1% will get about $1 back in tax breaks.”

In Michigan, over 67,000 people have lost access to health care coverage they received through Medicaid since the Republican Tax Law passed. And the law has put rural hospitals at risk, with four in Michigan closing. Michiganders who rely on food assistance have suffered too: under the SNAP cuts, the state has seen an 8% drop in participation in that program. 

“My family relies on Medicaid to be able to afford health care,” said Kim, an MI-04 constituent whose son is disabled and receives Medicaid. “When Representative Huizenga voted for these cuts, I felt betrayed and like he really doesn’t understand the needs of his constituents. I wish he would focus on reversing the cuts to Medicaid instead of bragging about his vote.”

“SNAP is how I keep food on the table when my paycheck doesn't stretch far enough," said Rebecca, who lives in Michigan's 10th district. "When Congressman James voted for SNAP cuts so billionaires could get a tax break, he turned his back on the people he represents and made it harder for us to afford basic needs like groceries.”

As Reps. James, Barrett, and Huizenga keep siding with the top billionaires and ultra-wealthy at the expense of their hardworking constituents, Michigan Families for Fair Care will keep calling on them to put working families first and reverse the Medicaid and SNAP cuts they voted for.