State Rep. Donni Steele (R-Orion Township) issued the following statement today in response to the Road Commission for Oakland County’s decision to cancel the long-planned, fully funded construction of a new operations facility:

“I am outraged by the Road Commission’s reckless and politically motivated decision to cancel a vital infrastructure project that has been years in the making. This short-sighted move sacrifices efficiency, public investment, and employee safety in the name of partisan interference and personal agendas.

“Let’s be clear: this facility was not a luxury—it was a necessity. Carefully and responsibly funded with no new taxes or debt, this project was backed by a $5 million federal grant specifically designated for this purpose—money we are now likely to lose. Over $4 million in taxpayer dollars has already been spent. Walking away now is not only fiscally irresponsible—it borders on government malpractice.

“This project would have replaced outdated, inefficient buildings with a modern, consolidated campus—improving operations and service delivery for all Oakland County residents. Instead, we are now being asked to consider cramming road crews into a 58-year-old office building riddled with environmental concerns and higher renovation costs. That’s not a plan—that’s a mistake.

“The workers of the road commission—who show up every day in rain, snow, and ice—deserve better. They deserve leadership that respects their expertise, not commissioners who dismiss their voices and shake their heads when staff and former officials plead for common sense to prevail.

“That this decision was made by only two commissioners—on a three-member board—is unacceptable. The public entrusted this commission with long-term infrastructure planning, not impulsive reversals that cost millions and serve no one and potentially expensive legal liability.

“Oakland County residents should be outraged. I certainly am. I demand this decision be reconsidered immediately, before any more money is wasted, before federal funding is lost forever, and before public trust is damaged beyond repair and we end up in court.”

###