State Rep. John Roth on Wednesday called out the blatant hypocrisy behind Democrat decision-making in their $83 billion budget for next year. Instead of funding key infrastructure projects, taxpayer dollars are spent on various pet projects.

“In past years, I’ve said that Northern Michigan always gets the short stick when it comes to state investments. I didn’t think it could get much worse than that. Well, I was wrong. This year, we didn’t even get to draw the short stick because we were outside in the rain watching through the window as they handed out money to their friends and political allies,” said Roth, R-Interlochen. “The money my community was asking for comes from our tax dollars and would’ve funded key infrastructure projects that have been put off for decades. I fought for funding.”

The budget includes hundreds of millions in funding for special projects. These projects include $17 million for zoos in Lansing and metro Detroit, $2 million for a boxing gym, $5 million for a movie theater, and more than $18 million for baseball stadiums. Roth noted that of the 200 enhancement grants, only 12 of the recipients could be considered up north, and of the critical infrastructure grants, only two recipients are north of Grand Rapids.

“The lack of key funding for infrastructure projects was evident across Northern Michigan,” Roth said. “But that’s how the governor operates. It doesn’t matter how planned out or vital funding is for a project. It doesn’t matter that sewer systems are failing, or a library roof is falling in. The only time the governor cares about people north of Grand Rapids is when she needs another vote.”

During the budget process, Roth advocated for key infrastructure investments in Northern Michigan. These funding requests included $10 Million for Kalkaska County Road Commission to replace a 70-year-old facility, $5 Million for Kalkaska Library to replace a 100-year-old building, $19 million for sewer system upgrades, $5 Million to replace a failing parking lot located over Clam River in Cadillac, $700,000 for a much-needed fire truck in Green Lake Township in Grand Traverse County, $5 Million for Habitat for Humanity to stabilize funding for projects in Grand Traverse Region, and $2.5 Million for road repairs in Antrim County.

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