Following the release of details of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 147 line-item vetoes, state Rep. Jack O’Malley, of Lake Ann, released the following statement:

“The number one complaint from Gov. Whitmer and her allies was that the Legislature’s budget would ‘only pave 39 miles of freeway,’ but we’ve got to remember there’s a lot more to Michigan than freeways. The Legislature’s plan not only offered a solid starting point for road repairs of all types but made room for priorities to advance our state, whether you live in the cities or the sticks.

“All of Michigan deserves a quality budget – not just some of it, not just the parts that have big populations. We were elected to represent our homes but took an oath to serve the whole state, and that’s what the Legislature’s plan does. Unfortunately, the governor took her ruler and pen and chopped the plan for parts, gutting programs that benefit our rural communities—like Pure Michigan, like the Secondary Road Patrol program that ensures police presence on secondary roads, like a pilot program for rural mental health, like testing for private wells—so she could say she put her mark on the budget and save political face.

“These important services might look like political toys to the governor, but they’re not. I was stunned to see that she eliminated Pure Michigan from the budget. Eliminating pure Michigan is a dumb move in my opinion. Do you think Burger King or Coca Cola continue to advertise because they need to? No, they do it to be top of mind. Pure Michigan is not just about tourism. It is about promoting the state for jobs and attracting people to live and work, and maybe bring business, to our state. Population is the number one resource this state is losing – Pure Michigan is one of the best assets our state has to bring people back and invite newcomers to our state.

“I know at least one representative, yours truly, will be fighting to get Pure Michigan back in the budget with appropriate funding. The governor has accused Republicans of playing games with the budget. This is proof that she sure does.”

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