Battle Creek Times

Partisan disagreements in Lansing are affecting legislative progress on key issues, according to Michigan State Rep. Steve Frisbie (R-Marshall). In a statement released August 14, 2025, Frisbie addressed constituent concerns about the lack of cooperation in state government.

“I hear it from constituents every week: ‘Why can’t government just work together?’ Frankly, I’m just as fed up as you are with the endless partisan bickering and political grandstanding that stand in the way of real solutions for Michigan families. People expect their elected leaders to act like adults, put politics aside, and deliver results. That’s exactly what the Michigan House has been working to do. We can’t negotiate with ourselves; it takes both parties to negotiate,” Frisbie said.

Frisbie pointed to two recent bipartisan bills—one addressing cell phone use in schools and another concerning re-sentencing for juveniles serving life sentences—as examples of legislation that failed due to party-line votes. He noted these bills had support from Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Democratic prosecutor Kim Worthy but were blocked by House Democrats.

“Just two weeks ago, House Republicans brought forward two critical, bipartisan bills—both fully backed by Governor Whitmer, respected prosecutors like Kim Worthy (Wayne County), and key Democratic groups. The first would have required school districts to tackle the crisis of rampant cell phone use in our classrooms. The second would have extended the deadline for re-sentencing ‘juveniles’ serving life sentences—an overdue fix supported across party lines. Yet House Democrats blocked both bills simply to hand Republicans a legislative defeat, putting political games ahead of good policy,” he stated.

Frisbie highlighted comments from Democrat Rep. Noah Arbit supporting the cell phone bill earlier this year but voting against it when it came before the full chamber.

“Take the cell phone bill example. Even Democrat Rep. Noah Arbit called it ‘good legislation’ in April, urging passage in both chambers and a signature from the Governor. Nothing about the bill changed—but when it mattered, he and every Democrat voted no. This, despite 75% of Michigan parents supporting action. Both bills failed by just one vote, purely because of partisan obstruction. Governor Whitmer made it a key piece she hoped to accomplish in this legislative year,” Frisbie said.

He also discussed budget negotiations between chambers: “I want a budget done. House Republicans have already put a serious education funding plan on the table: record funding for schools—$12,000 per student, more than ever before—and flexibility of local control of spending where it is needed, not dictated by Lansing.”

The House proposal includes $3.1 billion for road repairs without increasing taxes or fees while giving school districts more control over how they spend state funds.

“In contrast, the Senate’s budget offers less for schools and ignores real infrastructure needs," Frisbie added." Worse, their numbers don’t add up—using outdated revenue projections and ignoring new realities like shrinking tax revenues due to poor government policies and less federal revenue... If you add the $3.1 billion everyone agrees is needed per year for roads and bridges, they’re over $4 billion overspent."

He emphasized oversight concerns about state programs following recent comments from Attorney General Dana Nessel regarding transparency at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

"I want to save the safety net programs for those who qualify and are dependent upon those services," Frisbie stated." We can’t do that without deep dive reviews of all these programs due to complete lack of oversight over the last two years as to where taxpayer money is going... Government transparency shouldn’t be a partisan issue."

Concluding his remarks on gridlock at the Capitol: “You deserve the truth: Lansing is gridlocked because Democrats in the House and Senate would rather play politics and posture for a 2026 campaign than do their jobs for you in 2025. It’s time for the Senate to return to work and for their leadership to begin serious negotiations with the House.I will continue fighting to demand real results that matter for Michigan families.”