Rep. Beau LaFave, of Iron Mountain, today voted in favor of a new Michigan state budget investing more in roads and bridges, public health and safety, and strengthening communities – without raising taxes:

“The Department of Natural Resources has violated our property rights for too long, flying their airplanes low over our hunting land looking for bait piles without a warrant. I want you to know that I had an amendment to end this unconstitutional practice. Unfortunately, Gov. Whitmer was going to veto it, and for that reason, it was not included in this year’s budget.

“We lost this fight, but the war is not over. I will continue to fight to preserve and protect the due process rights of our citizens north of the Mackinac Bridge.

“I am currently working on a plan to create an Upper Peninsula Natural Resources Commission, so that we can have more control over the resources in our beautiful peninsula. The language of this bill package will be released in the upcoming weeks.

“In the meantime, I was proud to cast my vote to pass a state budget and place it on the governor’s desk without a shutdown. The governor might be willing to shut the government down over items like DNR airplanes, but I’m not. The good, hardworking people in our State Police Department, Department of Health and Human Services or Corrections Department – for example – deserve to be paid for the work they do for us.  We’re going to keep fighting for another day. That is why I begrudgingly voted to fund the DNR, again.”

LaFave’s votes came as the Legislature completed its work on a new state budget for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1

“It’s up to the governor to sign the budgets we placed on her desk—on time and without a government shutdown,” LaFave said. “It is my hope that the governor will do the right thing, sign these bipartisan proposals and send record funding to roads and increased funding for public health and safety.”

Gov. Whitmer declined to participate in budget negotiations after her demands for a 45-cent per gallon gas tax increase were rejected by both parties. The budget the Legislature is sending to her costs taxpayers millions less than the plan she proposed in March.

“I am also pleased to have voted for a line item that brings Upper Peninsula veterans one step closer to a long-overdue, specially designated veterans cemetery,” LaFave said.

The Legislature’s budget places a priority on:

• Roads. Another $400 million is invested in road and bridge repairs, continuing the Legislature’s commitment to improving roads without tax increases or cuts to essential services. Michigan’s Department of Transportation budget will top $5 billion and provide more money for road repairs than ever before.
• Public health. Funding to prevent opioid abuse and provide substance abuse treatment increases by more than $30 million. A statewide mental health hotline is supported by a $2 million commitment. Another $200,000 is included to continue a three-year student on the affects of PFAS contamination on wildlife and game.
• Economic growth. Investments continue and increase in programs such as Going Pro to train more workers for good-paying, high demand careers so they can support themselves and their families. This builds upon the previously approved schools budget providing significant increases in career and technical education.

The schools budget approved last week includes a record $15.2 billion for Michigan students, increasing the foundation allowance by more than $300 million — up to $240 more per student. Additional support is provided for special education, early literacy, school safety and several other programs.

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