State Rep. Michele Hoitenga, of Manton, today issued the following statement in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cutting hundreds of millions of dollars from a Legislature-approved budget for the 2019-20 fiscal year, including 147 line-item vetoes:

“All summer and as we approached the Oct. 1 constitutional budget deadline, the governor expressed concerns that the budget plan the Legislature was putting together would cut too much in other areas to put together funding for roads. In the end, we found more money for roads without tax increases or cuts to essential services.

“So I find it extremely contradictory that she would wipe out hundreds of millions of dollars from a responsible budget plan we sent to her, slashing into record funding for roads and schools in the process.

“The governor either doesn’t understand what people in Northern Michigan want or isn’t listening to them. Better roads, more resources for our state’s kids and allowing taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned money were pillars of this proposal and fundamental concepts I fought for when talking with residents across the three counties I represent. Unfortunately, this has been watered down with the ink from the governor’s pen. She took away funding from Michigan families because the Legislature didn’t hand residents the highest gas tax in the nation like she wanted. That’s ridiculous – and it’s not governing.

“A massive, unpopular tax on residents is her only plan to fund road repairs so far. She prides herself on making bold decisions and tough calls. Admitting when you’re wrong is one of the toughest.”