Rep. Bierlein Helps Secure Funding for Frankenmuth Sports Complex Project in Signed State Budget

Legislator also outlines unsustainable spending and government growth

State Rep. Matthew Bierlein today emphasized support for a project in Frankenmuth as part of the signed state budget, but also raised concerns about unmanageable spending and budget initiatives that do not meet the needs of residents.

The signed budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1 includes $10 million for the Frankenmuth Youth Sports Complex through an infrastructure grant.

“These funds will make Frankenmuth an even better place to live, work and raise a family,” said Bierlein, of Vassar, who represents Frankenmuth in the Michigan House of Representatives. “This funding would not have been possible without the help of some amazing members of our community who worked to bring this project to fruition. I’m excited to see this take another step forward.”

While Bierlein highlighted other regional investments in the Saginaw Bay area within the plans — such as support for the Corning manufacturing facility that should bring 1,100 jobs to the region, $1 million for Eastside Soup Kitchen in Saginaw and a $1 million infrastructure grant for administrative offices in Buena Vista Township — the lawmaker noted other areas where the budget fell short and did not meet priorities shared by a majority of Michigan residents.

There was no additional funding specifically set aside in the budget for local road agencies to repair crumbling roads that people use every day. Bierlein has consistently fought for ways to get money into the budget plan for local roads, including sponsoring an amendment when a budget plan passed the House that would have shifted millions of dollars from an electric vehicle pilot program to local road funding for cities, towns and counties. The amendment was not included in the Democratic plan.

The budget also makes critical cuts to school safety funding. Last year’s budget included $328 million for school safety and mental health grants. The upcoming fiscal year’s plan slashes that to $26.5 million — a more than 90 percent reduction. For the first time in more than a decade, the budget plan also does not include an increase in per-pupil funding for the state’s public schools. Bierlein also noted that the budget eliminates key transparency provisions — even as Michigan ranks near the bottom of the nation for government transparency — and adds more than 500 new bureaucratic positions, including dozens within the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy that will enforce new clean energy mandates.

“I would have liked to see more focus on returning taxpayer dollars to our communities through the budget process, along with a greater focus on our roads and schools,” Bierlein said. “With the incredible price tag of this budget — more than $80 billion — projects like the Youth Sports Complex in Frankenmuth give taxpayers in the community a return on their investment. Putting taxpayer dollars into local roads and prioritizing the safety and well-being of our children in school provides a great return on investment.

“Some of the spending in the budget plans — like $3 million for e-bike vouchers and $7.5 million for drones — doesn’t provide a good return on investment and doesn’t address the priorities of people in our communities. It’s critical that lawmakers be good stewards of the taxpayer dollars provided to the state. I will continue to review the plans with this principle in mind.”