LANSING, Mich. — After listening to State Budget Director Christopher Harkins outline Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s fiscal year 2023 state budget recommendation on Wednesday, Sen. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, issued the following statement:
“I applaud the governor’s proposal to support our rural communities and invest in our state’s food supply and agricultural industry. These are real issues that our West Michigan community and much of rural Michigan have been facing. It’s promising to see the administration finally acknowledge the importance of agriculture to our state.
“I am deeply concerned about using much of our one-time federal money to make unsustainable increases into more government programs. As a Legislature, we have a responsibility to make smart investments with these federal funds — which taxpayers ultimately provide. If done correctly, these one-time dollars can be used to generate serious dividends and long-term savings that will ensure success for our state, local communities, and hardworking families well into the future.
“For over a decade of Republican legislative leadership on the budget, we have put more dollars into roads and water infrastructure, boosted workforce training, and supported our small businesses. As a result, we are seeing better-than-expected revenues.
“We need to build on that record of success and pass a responsible budget plan that meets our needs, invests in the future, and provides Michigan families with much-needed relief.”
###