Pontiac Times

State Representative Donni Steele, a Republican from Orion Township, has expressed concerns over the costly proposals put forward by Governor Gretchen Whitmer in her State of the State address. Steele, who serves on the House Appropriations Committee, believes that the state government should not be favoring certain groups over others. He stated, "It’s wrong to ignore kids going into the trades and force their families to fund free community college for others. The government shouldn’t help people buy expensive cars while some families cannot even afford a quality used vehicle."

Furthermore, Steele highlighted the neglected state of local road repairs, with the governor's focus primarily on interstates and state highways. He criticized the lack of new funding for local roads in the 2024 budget and pointed out that any road improvements that have been made were funded through borrowed money that future generations will have to repay.

Education was another area of concern for Steele, as Michigan ranks poorly in reading scores. He emphasized the need for accountability and student results, stating, "Low test scores prove that simply throwing more money at schools isn’t going to help our kids." Despite education spending outpacing inflation by $2 billion, the state still struggles to improve its educational outcomes.

Steele also raised the issue of declining income per capita in Michigan. The state now ranks 39th nationally in personal income per capita, a significant drop from its previous position at 16th. He attributed this decline to the departure of young people from the state and criticized the government for neglecting essential responsibilities. He stated, "Our roads are terrible, our schools are failing, our electricity is expensive and unreliable, our taxes are high, and we keep spending tax dollars on bad projects like the Ford battery plant in Marshall. Free college and battery car rebates aren’t going to help our problem; good governance is."

In summary, Rep. Steele's statement highlights his concerns over the governor's proposed programs and the state of Michigan's infrastructure, education system, and economy. He believes that a focus on accountability, responsible spending, and addressing fundamental issues is crucial for the state's progress.