Note: The following column was published by the Lapeer County Press on Saturday, May 9:

Supporting families and livelihoods is a priority for me in the Legislature. I recently sponsored a plan that does both.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed last year at the federal level made a series of changes to 529 Plans, which are education savings accounts that make it easier to save for college and post-secondary training for a designated beneficiary like a child or grandchild. These programs were originally designed by states like Michigan rather than the federal government, but Congress formally authorized them in 1996. Anyone can open one regardless of their income.

Michigan operates a 529 Plan called the Michigan Education Savings Program. Withdrawals from these plans are not subject to federal tax and usually are not subject to state tax when used for qualified education expenses, such as tuition, fees, books, and room and board at eligible colleges or universities.

The signing of the One Big Beautiful Bill focused on access. It expanded these tax-free account withdrawals to wider workforce, on-the-job training and continuing education programs. But we need state law to reflect these changes for Michigan families to be able to utilize them and not see unnecessary state tax liabilities.

I’m proud to be a founding member of the bipartisan Michigan Building Trades Caucus. Skilled trades have a rich tradition in our state, and we have the eighth-highest amount in the country with over 250,000 workers. My reforms will help training in skilled trades be more affordable for students and workers, while assisting kids graduating from high school as they assess their options for a career.

But the adjustment my bill puts forward will also help so many other professionals throughout Lapeer, Genesee and Tuscola counties and the state as a whole. To mirror the federal reforms, my plan adds equipment for professional certificates, licensing programs and vocational training to what’s covered in these qualified programs. Certified nursing assistants, financial planners, personal trainers, medical techs, barbers, beauticians, bakers and numerous other careers will all benefit.

Licensing-related fees have long hampered professionals and job providers in our state and made it tougher for Michigan to keep and attract workers. They have seen government spending grow consistently while their own budgets are strained. The comprehensive reforms within my plan provide affordability — something we should be prioritizing whenever possible in Lansing.

While there is a great deal of contention and debate regarding federal plans and ideas, this is not a partisan bill. It merely updates our state law so people can get the most out of the updates that have occurred and we aren’t at a disadvantage against other states who have already fully incorporated them. Cultivating an environment that helps families save, supports workers, and puts them in a position to thrive is critical both for our present and future. I will continue to pursue plans in the House that work off these principles.