North Michigan News

State Rep. Cam Cavitt on Friday addressed the $59 billion state budget for next year, noting it included very few priorities pushed for by local Republicans and instead focused on partisan projects advocated by Lansing Democrats. Cavitt highlighted a $550,000 allocation for Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger (MSAH) as one of the few positives.

Democrats allocated $5.8 million and 31 new full-time positions to the Michigan Public Service Commission to implement new green energy mandates. The budget also includes $156.2 million for a solar installation program and $68 million for a solar factory.

“I’m glad to see Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger got the funding they desperately needed. I’m disappointed that Democrats couldn’t see the necessity behind the other funding I advocated for in Northeast Michigan,” said Cavitt, R-Cheboygan. “Even with the smallest silver lining, the budget was still crammed full of terrible spending priorities. I could never support such a blatantly partisan liberal budget.”

The MSAH funding will allow the organization to purchase refrigerated trailers to store deer and processed venison. This initiative was one of Cavitt’s key priorities during the budget process. MSAH coordinates efforts between Michigan hunters and licensed wild game processors to feed people in need, operating entirely through volunteers and in collaboration with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. To date, MSAH has donated 1.1 million pounds of processed venison, helping feed an estimated 4.6 million people.

“There are too many deer in Michigan. Anytime we deal with overpopulation, there are too many deer and not enough freezer space,” Cavitt said. “With this funding, MSAH will be able to help deal with the excess amount of deer by turning them around and getting the venison to people who need it most.”

The budget also includes significant funds for other special projects perceived as politically motivated: $17 million for zoos in Lansing and metro Detroit, $2 million for a boxing gym, $5 million for a movie theater, and more than $18 million for baseball stadiums. According to Cavitt, only 12 out of 200 enhancement grant recipients were located up north; among critical infrastructure grants, only two recipients were north of Grand Rapids.

“I’d really like for the governor to come up to Alpena or Cheboygan and explain how zoos and boxing gyms are more important than a crumbling bridge that school buses rely on,” Cavitt said. “Democrats prioritized their green energy mandates over critically needed infrastructure. We cannot continue down this path.”

During the budget process, Cavitt advocated for several key infrastructure investments in Northern Michigan: $7 million for Orchard St Bridge in Cheboygan, $2 million each for an Alpena Community College housing project and Black River Jetty improvements, as well as smaller amounts designated towards veterans affairs offices in Cheboygan County ($100k) and Alpena County ($100k).

###