Michigan House Associate Speaker Pro-Tempore Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Township), today released the following statement in response to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s “Road Ahead” address in Detroit on Wednesday:

“The governor is out of touch by hinting at more corporate welfare while people in our state are unable to make ends meet.

“We shouldn’t be worried about catering to big corporations and handing out billions to plants for partisan wish list things like electric vehicles. We should be focused on making sure service industry workers we all represent can make enough to support themselves by preserving the tip credit. We should be focused on ensuring small businesses, who are the backbone of our local economies in Michigan, won’t have to close their doors for good because of unrealistic court mandates on sick leave and wages. I’m looking forward to continuing that effort today with my legislation in our House select committee.

“A recent news report disclosed the state of Michigan has offered eight companies more than $1 billion each in taxpayer-funded incentives and future tax breaks just in the last three years. These projects promise jobs and growth but routinely underdeliver – with the Marshall EV battery plant being a prime example. We should not be doubling down on this strategy.

“We need the road ahead to be a brick-by-brick approach that looks out for hardworking people and their families, not one that steamrolls taxpayers with corporate boondoggles.”