May Update from State Representative Donni Steele

May 2023,

Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Constituents,

As we enjoy warmer weather and look forward to summer, I, unfortunately, have to report that our state government continues to be run poorly by the current Democratic majority. As we’re amid the budget season, it’s been demonstrated to me that they plan to continue irresponsible spending on pet projects. I’ve advocated for using our money to fix issues that matter most to the people of the 54th District, like fixing our roads. I will continue to be your voice in Lansing, and I appreciate your support in that mission.

Sincerely,

Representative Donni Steele

Transportation Budget Neglects Local Roads & Bridges

Transportation Budget Neglects Local Roads & Bridges

I serve as the Republican Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee. My goal in that position has been and continues to be to work to fix the crumbling infrastructure that our communities desperately need to repair.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like my colleagues on the other side of the aisle share those concerns; we offered 23 amendments, and the only input the Democratic committee chairman took was correcting an adding error totaling $5 million. I introduced an amendment that would substantially increase funding for local road repairs, but that amendment was rejected. So were amendments meant to ensure transparency, oversight, and fiscal responsibility while repairing Michigan roads and bridges.

Instead, the Democrats have prioritized flashy programs like e-bike subsidies and pedestrian streetscapes. The people elected me to ensure we do a better job fixing our local streets, so I can’t in good conscience support a budget that pours taxpayer dollars into unnecessary pet projects.

My amendment would’ve redirected one-time spending to local infrastructure to help catch Michigan up on road repairs. The Democratic majority unanimously opposed the amendment, along with amendments to require MDOT to report critical information such as bond debt, legacy costs for retirement benefits, incentive and disincentive programs to encourage job completion and a Mackinac Bridge viability study. They also rejected an amendment to ensure that the state promptly notified municipalities about their cost-share obligations for road projects.

Even as the Republican Vice Chair of the committee, I didn’t receive the budget proposal until just hours before the proposal was to be taken up in committee. This last-minute notice makes it impossible for legislators, outside experts, and the people of Michigan to review the legislation and provide constructive input.

Budget Ignores The Needs of Michigan Families

My colleagues and I have offered many ideas to bolster our state’s budget, but they have been struck down by Democrats in Lansing, who have refused to work with us. About 150 amendments were all voted down, as the Democrats continued to choose political games over good governance, to the detriment of every Michigan resident.

Both sides of the aisle should work together to ensure transparency, oversight, and fiscal responsibility when spending taxpayer dollars. Instead, Democrats in Lansing plan to grow government with a bloated and unsustainable spending plan that ignores the biggest concerns of Michigan families and eliminates vital transparency and accountability measures.

In what seems to be a common theme with this budget, Republican lawmakers, local officials, and the public didn’t receive any specifics on the budget proposals until hours before they were taken up in subcommittees. Instead of working across the aisle, Democrats are working under a cloak to keep Republican legislators and the public out of the loop. This alarming behavior makes it impossible for legislators and experts to review the legislation and offer vital input. We must be given sufficient time to review legislation and make educated decisions, especially when spending taxpayer dollars.

Some of my primary concerns include:

The out-of-touch spending priorities of Democrats in Lansing demonstrate their governing philosophy is “Rules of thee, but not for me.” Unfortunately, the budget has passed the House and now heads to the Senate.

Repairing Affordable Childcare Program

To support Michigan families, I’m seeking to resolve several severe problems with the Child Development and Care grant program, which helps struggling working parents in need of affordable childcare. Families, who previously received support, needed to be properly informed by the Health and Human Services Department that their eligibility had changed or even a loss of coverage. Some eligible families even had their support terminated mistakingly.

The federal government provides states with grants to help parents in need keep good jobs by ensuring their kids receive quality care while at work. But the funding only works when our state can roll it out consistently, correctly, or timely.

House Republicans introduced a solution that would ensure parents are appropriately notified of eligibility changes and reimbursed promptly if the department fails to deliver payments to eligible families. No parent should fear losing their job because they can’t afford reliable childcare.

CONNECT