Whitmer makes 147 line-item vetoes, targets funding for rural areas

Rep. Julie Calley today said she is troubled by Gov. Whitmer’s decision to veto parts of the Legislature’s budget, including $375 million in additional funding for road repairs and $128 million in additional funding for Michigan students.

“Everyone – including our governor – says they want better roads and better schools. The budget we put on the governor’s desk invested more in those priorities without raising taxes. It’s alarming that our governor would reject this plan,” said Calley, of Portland. “The people in our communities have been very clear about not being able to afford the governor’s gas tax hike. It’s our job as legislators to get the most value out of every dollar taxpayers provide. It’s what they expect and deserve.”

Late Monday, the governor issued 147 line-item vetoes to key programs in the Legislature’s plan, including hits to career and technical education, school safety grants, veterans’ services, specialty courts, rural health services and PFAS detection/remediation.

In particular, Calley said the governor’s veto of $13 million in secondary road patrol funding will hurt rural communities in Ionia and Barry counties. The program allowed sheriffs to hire additional personnel for road safety and improved response time for emergencies outside of cities and villages. Funding for secondary road patrol was cut entirely.

“While the governor might not see value in these programs, the members of our communities know how important they are – and they’re going to be disappointed,” Calley said. “These cuts come at a great cost to the health and safety of Michiganders.”

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