Legislator also outlines unsustainable spending, government growth

State Rep. Matthew Bierlein today highlighted support for a project in Frankenmuth as part of the signed state budget, while also expressing concerns over out-of-control spending and budget initiatives that don’t meet the needs of residents.

The signed budget for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 provides $10 million for the Frankenmuth Youth Sports Complex through an infrastructure grant.

“These resources will make Frankenmuth an even better place to live, work and raise a family,” said Bierlein, of Vassar, who represents Frankenmuth in the Michigan House. “This funding wouldn’t have been possible without the help of some terrific members in our community who have worked to see this project through. I am excited to see this take another step forward.”

While Bierlein highlighted other regional investments in the Saginaw Bay area within the plans – such as support for the Corning manufacturing facility which is set to bring 1,100 jobs to the region, $1 million for Eastside Soup Kitchen in Saginaw, and a $1 million infrastructure grant for administrative offices in Buena Vista Township – the legislator noted other areas where the budget fell short and failed to address priorities a majority of Michigan residents share.

There was no extra funding specifically set aside in the budget for local road agencies to repair crumbling roads that people use every day. Bierlein has consistently fought for ways to get money into the budget plan for local roads, including supporting an amendment when a budget plan passed the House that would have shifted millions of dollars away from an electric vehicle pilot program to local road funding for cities, villages and counties. The amendment was not incorporated into Democrat plans.

The budget also makes critical cuts to school safety funding. Last year’s budget included $328 million for school safety and mental health grants. The plan for the upcoming fiscal year cuts that down to $26.5 million – a reduction of over 90 percent. For the first time in more than a decade, there is also no increase in per-pupil funding for the state’s public schools within the budget plan. Bierlein also noted the budget removes key transparency provisions – even as Michigan already ranks toward the bottom in the country for government transparency – and adds over 500 new bureaucratic positions, including dozens within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy that will enforce new clean energy mandates.

“I would have liked to see more attention on getting taxpayer dollars back into our communities through the budget process, along with a greater focus on our roads and schools,” Bierlein said. “With the incredible price tag of this budget – over $80 billion – projects like the Youth Sports Complex in Frankenmuth are giving taxpayers in the community a return on their investment. Putting taxpayer money into local roads and prioritizing the safety and well-being of our kids at school provides a good return on investment.

“Some of the spending in the budget plans – like $3 million for e-bike vouchers and $7.5 million for drones – doesn’t provide a good return on investment and doesn’t address priorities people across our communities have. It’s critical that legislators are good stewards for tax dollars that are afforded to the state. I’ll continue to review plans with this principle in mind.”