By Sen. Michele Hoitenga
36th Senate District
Politicians have lost sight of basic governing, and it comes at a tremendous cost for families and communities.
The primary role of government is to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens — a goal best achieved through responsible governing and prioritizing budgets that allocate funds to essential services like infrastructure and public safety.
Strong infrastructure — including roads, bridges, clean drinking water and reliable waste systems — is vital for everyday living and economic growth, while effective public safety and first responder systems are key to maintaining order and safeguarding citizens.
Prioritizing budgets toward these investments is essential for economic advancement, as they inherently foster trade, attract businesses, and create job opportunities.
Moreover, during crises such as natural disasters or community health needs, well-established infrastructure and public safety networks are essential for mitigating losses. The current California wildfires illustrate the consequences of neglecting these vital components.
Collaborating with local leaders in our district, I feel the weight of their struggles as they face deficits exacerbated by past and current administrations’ poor decisions and neglect of essential services.
Regrettably, government budgets at all levels have increasingly directed tax revenue to nonessential and subjective expenditures, like pet projects, which yield fewer long-term benefits or economic returns. These initiatives are best supported by philanthropists, nonprofits, or crowdfunding; however, their continued maintenance may depend on future government funding.
Additionally, taxpayers continue to foot the bill for corporate welfare and extreme ideological agendas that primarily benefit politicians, special interests, and the ultra-wealthy.
Leading economic experts have warned these expenditures only result in pandering headlines and false promises. Yet, Michigan’s 2024 and 2025 fiscal had record spending on corporate welfare and pork projects, while completely ignoring the real needs of everyday families.
Even more troubling is the unconscionable burden we are placing on future generations. For example, spending billions on radical Green New Deal energy initiatives today while knowing full well the environmental implications and enormous debt that will be inflicted on our children when non-recyclable wind turbines and plastic solar panels stop producing energy and become obsolete within 15 years. It’s shameful and irresponsible.
The most sustainable form of economic growth will emerge from residents themselves, who are eager to buy, build, invest, and even contribute to local pet projects but can only do so when the government stays out of their wallets.
Understanding that families know how to spend their hard-earned money more wisely than any politician, I continue to fight for lower taxes and state budgets that responsibly focus on infrastructure and public safety that benefit our communities.
Earlier this month, Michigan’s fiscal and economic leaders released their state tax revenue and economic projections for the year. The numbers prove that we can afford to deliver permanent tax relief for families, and we owe it to them to make sure we are focusing on what truly matters.
This year, I’m focused on fixing our infrastructure, rebuilding our economy, and letting Michiganders keep more of what they’ve earned.
I urge elected officials at every level to embrace the fundamental principles of sound governance by prioritizing crucial services.
State Sen. Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, represents Michigan’s 36th Senate District, which includes Alpena, Alcona, Arenac, Crawford, Iosco, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Wexford counties, along with portions of Bay and Manistee counties.