State Rep. Ken Borton
Recent News About State Rep. Ken Borton
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Rep. Borton criticizes Democrat majority over failure to restore tip credit
Rep. Ken Borton on Wednesday advocated for Northern Michigan restaurant workers as the House of Representatives convened, possibly for the last time until November.
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Rep. Borton hosts Otsego County deputy sheriff at Capitol 9/11 ceremony
State Rep. Ken Borton, R-Gaylord, and Greg Kates, Otsego County deputy sheriff and school resource officer, stood together at the Michigan State Capitol on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. Kates was Borton’s guest at the Michigan House of Representatives’ annual ceremony remembering 9/11 and honoring Michigan first responders.
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Rep. Borton underscores benefits of Gaylord construction projects
State Rep. Ken Borton on Friday highlighted the significance of ongoing construction projects in Gaylord, emphasizing their positive impact on the community. Construction is currently in progress at the I-75 Business Loop near South Otsego Avenue as part of a $13.3 million initiative to enhance a 2.2-mile stretch.
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Rep. Borton warns Michigan Supreme Court ruling could impact local restaurants
State Rep. Ken Borton issued a statement on Wednesday following a Michigan Supreme Court ruling that will raise the minimum wage and eliminate the tip credit for servers, bartenders, and other workers who frequently earn more with tips than they would with a higher minimum wage. The changes are set to take effect on February 21, 2025.
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Rep. Borton criticizes new school aid budget signed by Gov. Whitmer
State Rep. Ken Borton on Tuesday criticized Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s decision to approve the Democrats’ school aid budget for the upcoming year. The budget reduces school safety funding by $300 million, a 90% cut, reallocates $670 million from teacher retirement accounts, and does not include a per-pupil funding increase for the first time in years.
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Rep. Borton promotes hazardous waste disposal day in Otsego County
State Rep. Ken Borton on Thursday encouraged the community in Otsego County to take advantage of the upcoming Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Day scheduled for Saturday, July 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held at the Otsego County Road Commission, located at 669 W McCoy Rd in Gaylord.
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Rep. Borton opposes expansion of Michigan's unemployment benefits
State Rep. Ken Borton on Wednesday voted against a plan to extend unemployment benefits statewide. House Bill 5827, which ultimately passed along party lines, comes as Michigan’s unemployment rate has been under 4% for more than four months.
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Rep. Borton votes for tougher penalties on deed fraud
State Rep. Ken Borton on Thursday voted to criminalize the act of falsely claiming ownership of another person's property. The plan, which introduces a new ten-year felony, passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.
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Rep. Borton supports bipartisan plan for life-saving bleeding control measures
Rep. Ken Borton on Thursday announced his support for a bipartisan plan aimed at helping individuals save lives by preventing blood loss. The proposed legislation seeks to provide liability protections for those attempting to stop bleeding wounds and ensure high school students are educated in bleeding control techniques.
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Rep. Borton supports new bill criminalizing human smuggling in Michigan
State Rep. Ken Borton on Thursday announced his support for a plan to criminalize human smuggling in Michigan. Under current law, there is no state-level criminal penalty for human smuggling, only human trafficking.
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Rep. Borton criticizes Democrat Department of Transportation budget
State Rep. Ken Borton voiced strong criticism on Wednesday against the Democrat Department of Transportation budget, citing a lack of crucial funding for local roads. Instead, the budget allocated $15 million for aerial drones and $3 million for electric bike incentives. This comes as recent research ranks Michigan 47th nationally in terms of pavement road quality.
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Rep. Borton: DNR budget fails to address needs of rural Michigan
State Rep. Ken Borton, representing Gaylord, expressed disappointment as the Department of Natural Resources budget failed to address the needs of rural Michigan. During a recent House Appropriations Subcommittee meeting, Borton and Rep. Greg Alexander, the only other committee Republican, put forth amendments that were ultimately rejected by the Democrat majority.Borton voiced his commitment to representing rural communities, stating, "Even when Democrats refuse to listen, we have a responsibility to ensure our rural communities have their voices heard during the budget...
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Rep. Borton introduces plan to protect property owners from squatters
State Rep. Ken Borton has put forth a plan aimed at safeguarding Michigan property owners from the challenges posed by squatters illegally occupying private property. The proposal, known as House Bill 5634, seeks to provide property owners with a more efficient process to remove squatters from their premises.Borton emphasized the importance of addressing this issue promptly, stating, “Michigan residents should not have to undergo lengthy legal battles to regain control of property they legally own and pay taxes on.” He underscored the principle that trespassing is a...
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Rep. Borton Calls for Reforms in Michigan Liquor Control Commission
Rep. Ken Borton has strongly criticized the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) following revelations of mismanagement within the organization. According to the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), over 62,000 state-owned bottles of liquor worth nearly $1 million are missing from the MLCC's inventory.Borton, expressing his dismay, stated, “In a time where families are making every dollar count because of the devastating impact of inflation, it is completely inexcusable that any state department can just lose a $1 million worth of inventory. This is another...
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Rep. Borton Criticizes Governor's Proposal to Cut Funding for Auditor General's Office
Rep. Ken Borton has criticized Governor Gretchen Whitmer for her proposal to cut funding for the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), calling it a move to undermine transparency in government. Borton, a Republican from Gaylord, expressed his concerns about the potential consequences of slashing the OAG's budget, which plays a crucial role in uncovering mismanagement and failures in state agencies and programs.“This proposed crippling of the OAG is a perfect example of the misguided leadership we’ve experienced under Gov. Whitmer,” said Rep. Borton. “Normal people in...
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Rep. Borton Urges Small Businesses to Apply for Federal Assistance Amid Warm Weather Impact
State Rep. Ken Borton is encouraging small businesses impacted by the warm weather to seek federal assistance through the Small Business Administration (SBA). Borton, representing 42 counties in Michigan, highlighted the financial struggles faced by businesses in the region due to the lack of snowfall this winter.“Northern Michigan has a vibrant tourism economy that relies on snowfall for different outdoor recreational activities. The complete lack of snow this year has left many folks with very little income. I’d encourage anyone affected by this warm winter weather to...
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Rep. Borton: Public Gains Opportunity to Denounce New Wind, Solar Siting Laws
State Rep. Ken Borton expressed his concerns over a new state law that diminishes local control over large-scale wind and solar projects. Borton emphasized the importance of allowing local communities to make zoning decisions, stating, “Zoning decisions are meant to be made at the lowest level of government because no two municipalities are alike."Borton, who voted against the controversial plan, highlighted the upcoming opportunities for the public to voice their opinions on the matter. He urged residents of rural Michigan to participate in the Michigan Public Service...
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Rep. Borton: Feet-dragging on school safety must end
State Rep. Ken Borton, R-Gaylord, has urged action on a bipartisan school safety plan that has yet to receive attention from the House Education Committee. Borton emphasized the importance of prioritizing school safety resources and initiatives, especially in the wake of the Oxford High School shooting in 2021.“A bipartisan package to keep our kids safe seems like the perfect thing for the House to work on while we’re split 54-54,” Borton stated. He further added, “We need to refocus our attention away from inconsequential bills with limited impact and get back to the...
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Rep. Borton: House falls into chaos under Democrat leadership
Rep. Ken Borton, a Republican representative from Gaylord, expressed his frustration with House Democrats after they failed to pass any legislation on a day when three votes were scheduled. The House, which is evenly split with a 54-54 partisan divide, has been unable to make progress as Democrats refuse to negotiate with Republicans.In a statement, Rep. Borton criticized the Democrats for their lack of willingness to work across the aisle. He stated, "Sometimes in this job I really have to remind myself that it’s impossible to help people who don’t want to help...
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Rep. Borton Criticizes Governor's Budget Recommendations
Rep. Ken Borton, R-Gaylord, expressed his concerns regarding the governor's executive budget recommendations in a statement released today. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee and the vice chair of the Agriculture and Rural Development Appropriations subcommittee, Borton questioned the governor's approach to spending taxpayer dollars.Comparing the governor to a friend who enjoys an expensive dinner but conveniently disappears before the bill arrives, Borton highlighted the potential burden that the public might have to bear. He stated, "I hope the public...