“God put copper in the U.P. for a reason. It’s nice to see the MSF recognize the importance of us taking full advantage of our unique natural resources,” said Markkanen, R-Hancock. “The U.P. was built on mining. With this investment, our community will start pumping out materials that will help rebuild our state and country. But this project is about so much more than just the copper. These mines will bring quality jobs for our communities. This project will put more kids in our schools, fill seats in our local restaurants, and add shoppers for our small businesses.”

“In a year where the state is seemingly able to throw money at everything that moves, the governor needs to explain why she’s proposing cutting the only executive agency that safeguards taxpayers’ dollars,” said Markkanen, R-Hancock. “She has shown zero ability to effectively govern over Michigan without allowing widespread fraud and mismanagement to run rampant right under her nose. Now is a time to make government more transparent and effective, not fire the auditors.”