LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Joseph Bellino this week sponsored two amendments to the Michigan Department of Transportation budget to direct more funding to local roads and bridges. Both amendments were rejected by partisan votes.
“Anyone who has driven in Michigan knows the poor condition of our roads, and our local roads are the one most in need of repair,” said Bellino, R- Monroe. “My amendments would have taken $500 million and $175 million, respectfully, from the SOAR business incentive fund and directed the funding to fixing our local roads and bridges.”
Bellino said he sponsored the $175 million amendment after the Democrats rejected the earlier $500 million one — pointing out that it is the same amount Democrats recently gave to Gotion, a Chinese-owned battery manufacturer.
“We have a historic surplus, and instead of spending it on expanding government or supporting Chinese-affiliated companies, we should be using it to help Michigan families and make long-term investments in our state,” Bellino said.
Bellino opposed the MDOT budget and all the budgets passed by Senate Democrats this week.
“I cannot support the Democrats’ continued spending spree that focuses more on growing the size of government instead of supporting struggling families and improving our communities,” Bellino said. “With high inflation still impacting family and business budgets and economists predicting a recession in the near future, we must be more effective and cautious with how we use our taxpayer dollars.”
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