North Michigan News

State Representative Ken Borton has criticized Governor Gretchen Whitmer and senior officials in her administration for embarking on a taxpayer-funded trip to the United Kingdom and Ireland. The delegation, which includes Department of Natural Resources Director Scott Bowen, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring, and Michigan Economic Development Corp. CEO Quinten Messer, departed for the week-long trip on Sunday.

Borton expressed his disapproval by stating, “I guess college kids spring break to Florida and senior government officials spring break to Europe. I don’t care what the politically correct name for this waste of a trip is; this is nothing more than a taxpayer-funded spring break vacation for the governor and her senior department officials.”

He highlighted ongoing budget negotiations aimed at increasing government efficiency through targeted cuts. Borton pointed out that while there are discussions about raising hunting and fishing license fees and taxes on businesses, state officials are traveling abroad. “The governor wants to raise taxes on businesses, and other department heads are falling right in line with those plans,” he remarked.

Borton also questioned whether state-funded trips should be considered essential government functions. He stated, “Either the state has more than enough revenue or the governor must believe that state-funded vacations are a core function of government.”

He further asserted that House Republicans would seek assurances that taxpayer money would not continue funding such overseas trips. According to him, citizens expect their tax dollars to address infrastructure needs, education expansion, and emergency services rather than funding international travel.

Governor Whitmer and Director Bowen have recently advocated for increased fees for hunting, fishing, and boating licenses—a move criticized by Republicans who argue it could reduce participation in outdoor activities.