State Rep. Cam Cavitt, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, twice voiced his opinion during yesterday’s budget negotiations on the House floor.

First, Cavitt spoke to the natural resources budget:

“Michigan is home to some of the finest natural resources on the planet. It’s important we protect these, and promote vitality throughout the state. Human recreation and natural resources go hand-in-hand, and each play a major role in the daily lives of Michiganders. The bill ignores essential infrastructure, such as funding for the Cornwall Creek Flooding Dam, and decreases transparency and accountability while increasing red tape. My colleagues and I offered various ideas and amendments to improve this budget bill, though House Democrats rejected them all. We should work together to improve the bill for the sake of Michiganders and our state’s natural resources for generations to come.”

Cavitt then spoke to the state police budget:

“As a representative with a post in my district, I am proud to continue supporting our state police. However, I am not happy with the language in this bill that changes the police’s priorities from protecting the public to pushing a woke agenda. The proposed budget wastes money on far-left programs that could, and should go to officers, or for hiring essential social workers to respond to cases. Further, $4.8 million is currently slated to hire unarmed first responders in Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties instead of going toward police across the state. Addition funding for police was turned down by the Democrat majority. While these counties are receiving unarmed first responders, Lansing Democrats included $1.7 million for additional armed security for the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state. This out of touch spending is a clear example of “rules for thee, but not for me. As the Republican vice chair of the House Appropriations subcommittee on Military, Veteran’s Affairs and State Police, I have worked tirelessly to improve the budget at every step. Unfortunately, House Democrats again rejected to work across the aisle to improve a vital budget. As written, I cannot support this budget. We must re-focus our efforts on providing our state police with the necessary resources to protect Michigan citizens.”

“I’m extremely proud to have the opportunity to provide Northern Michigan a seat at the table during budget negotiations,” said Cavitt, of Cheboygan. “While I’m displeased with the products that came out of the House yesterday, I will not stop fighting to improve these, and urge necessary funding for Northern Michigan priorities as negotiations continue.”

Despite Cavitt’s opposition, the budgets passed the House, and now head to the Senate for further consideration.