State Rep. Brian BeGole this week spearheaded the advancement of two resolutions that deliver commonsense reforms, protect communities and ensure a responsible government that is working in the best interests of the people.

BeGole chaired a House Government Operations Committee hearing as part of the first standing committee meeting of the 2025-26 legislative term. In prioritizing public safety, BeGole led discussion and voted to advance House Resolution 19, which respects federal immigration laws and their enforcement. The resolution requires that municipalities and state universities have rules, policies and ordinances that comply with federal immigration laws if they want to receive legislative grant dollars.

 “Not a penny of taxpayer money should be going to places that are blatantly ignoring federal immigration laws and making people less safe in the process by calling themselves sanctuary areas for illegal aliens,” said BeGole, of Antrim Township. “Taxpayer dollars should not be going to communities that are actively making it more difficult for Immigration Customs and Enforcement officers to simply do their jobs and help protect law-abiding citizens. Communities in our state that are following the law should be receiving those dollars.”

House Joint Resolution A amends the state Constitution to require a two-thirds vote for passage of a bill during the legislative “lame duck” period that runs from the end of Election Day in even-numbered years to the beginning of a new term.

“Unfortunately, during the previous legislative term we saw the majority try to ram through several bills in lame duck that didn’t respect the priorities or needs of the people,” BeGole said. “That does nothing to help our state’s standing for government integrity and accountability. It only makes it worse. There should be an overwhelming opinion in the Legislature during this time period that a bill under consideration or spending plans are actually good for workers and families in Michigan. This shouldn’t be a time to rush pet projects to the governor, make backroom deals, or fulfill national party agendas that don’t make sense for our state.”

BeGole noted that an identical two-thirds lame duck plan passed through the House with an overwhelming, bipartisan 102-7 vote during the 2021-22 term.

“This isn’t a Republican or Democrat issue,” BeGole said. “This is a good government issue, and Michigan has consistently fallen short.”

PHOTO INFORMATION: House Government Operations Chair Brian BeGole (center) speaks during testimony on Tuesday, Feb. 11.