It seems liberals in Michigan haven’t noticed they took office ten months ago and are supposed to be governing and focusing on the issues Michiganders care about.
October 4, 2019
Whitmer Veto Recap: Children and Critical Services Used as Pawns in Governor’s Fight to Increase the Gas Tax
It seems liberals in Michigan haven’t noticed they took office ten months ago and are supposed to be governing and focusing on the issues Michiganders care about. This was on full display this week with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoing 147 items totaling about $1 billion from the state budget and moving around another $625 million through unprecedented executive action.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a seasoned Lansing-insider with 14-years of experience as a state legislator, said for years she wanted to fix the “damn” roads. But when the legislature sent her a budget that included $375 million for roads, she vetoed it because it didn’t include a gas tax increase.
Whitmer wants her 45-cent gas tax increase, and she isn’t afraid to use children and rural Michiganders as political pawns to get her way. She vetoed several line items in the budget – taking funding from children with autism, children in charter schools and rural schools – all in an effort to drastically increase the gas tax.
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Crain’s Detroit: Whitmer’s veto pen hit her ‘ally’ at Autism Alliance of Michigan
Detroit News: Jacques: Poor kids as pawns? A bad look for Whitmer
Upper Michigan Source: State budget cuts could mean the end for Burt Township Schools
In addition to making children a pawn in her political fight to increase the gas tax, Gov. Whitmer also vetoed funds that Bridge Magazine states disproportionately impact on rural residents and communities. The troubling vetoes for rural areas include $77 million for rural health care, which is critical for access to hospitals and obstetrics.
Giving angst to both rural and urban counties are Whitmer’s vetoes for public safety and road patrol funding. The Lansing State Journal stated Michigan sheriff’s departments lose funding for 119 deputies with Whitmer’s budget vetoes. For some counties, a major percentage of their road patrol is funded through this money that was eliminated – leaving at least one county to say it could mean slower response times for emergencies.
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WOOD TV: ‘Are you kidding me?’: Pure Michigan funding vetoed
The Alpena News: Whitmer vetoes to hit Northeast Michigan hard
ABC 12: Charter schools feel slighted in Gov. Whitmer’s veto decision
9&10 News: Among State Budget Cuts Include County Veterans Service Fund
RECAP
Gov. Whitmer vetoed critical funding for autistic children, rural Michiganders and charter school students because both Republicans and Democrat have soundly rejected her 45-cent gas tax increase. Even her own party has made it clear that she doesn’t have support for the drastic tax increase: House Dem leader: Whitmer’s 45 cent gas tax hike likely won’t happen
Michigan Rising Action will continue to review all 147-line item vetoes and will be providing information on how they impact the state.