North Michigan News

State Representative John Roth has criticized the Democratic Party's budget priorities, highlighting what he perceives as a lack of focus on essential infrastructure projects. The $83 billion budget for the upcoming year includes significant allocations to various special projects, but Roth argues that it neglects key needs in Northern Michigan.

"In past years, I’ve said that Northern Michigan always gets the short stick when it comes to state investments. I didn’t think it could get much worse than that. Well, I was wrong," Roth stated. He further elaborated on his disappointment by saying, "This year, we didn’t even get to draw the short stick because we were outside in the rain watching through the window as they handed out money to their friends and political allies."

The budget sets aside millions for projects such as zoos in Lansing and metro Detroit, a boxing gym, a movie theater, and baseball stadiums. However, according to Roth, only 12 out of 200 enhancement grants went to recipients considered up north, with merely two critical infrastructure grants awarded north of Grand Rapids.

Roth expressed concerns over what he sees as a persistent lack of funding for infrastructure in Northern Michigan: "The lack of key funding for infrastructure projects was evident across Northern Michigan," he said. He added criticism directed at the governor's approach: "It doesn’t matter how planned out or vital funding is for a project... The only time the governor cares about people north of Grand Rapids is when she needs another vote."

Throughout the budgeting process, Roth pushed for several infrastructure initiatives in his region. His proposals included $10 million for replacing an old facility at Kalkaska County Road Commission and $5 million each for updating Kalkaska Library's building and upgrading sewer systems. Other requests included funds for parking lot replacement over Clam River in Cadillac and purchasing a fire truck in Green Lake Township.