Pet project day in Lansing: Lawmakers seek $3.3B for pools, roads and more

• Michigan House lawmakers are requesting more than $3.3 billion for nearly 800 pet projects in their districts and across the state
• The requests vary from HVAC system upgrades for Michigan’s public schools to building a wellness and aquatic center in Benzie County
• It’s the first time earmarks have been made public ahead of finalizing the budget. Still unknown, however, are Senate-pitched earmarks

LANSING — House lawmakers are asking for more than $3.3 billion in funding for pet projects throughout the state, according to a Bridge Michigan review of a newly created Legislative earmark tracker.

Thursday was the deadline to seek earmarks, and it’s doubtful all of the nearly 800 requests made as of noon that day will be granted, especially since far fewer made it into past budgets when Michigan had more money. 

Thanks to new disclosure requirements, however, this is the first time the requests have been made public this early in the budget process.

The money would pay for everything from $60 million for a bridge in Wayne County and $200 million for water and sewer upgrades in Owosso. The vast majority of requests are for fire and police, roads, infrastructure and nonprofits.

In all, Republicans are pushing 419 projects worth $2.1 billion, while Democrats seek 367 proposals for $1.2 billion.

The most prolific requester: Rep. Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit, who seeks money for 41 separate projects totaling $159.1 million. Her projects range from $200,000 for a youth program to $50 million in two requests for Detroit’s water and sewer department and to help seniors and disabled residents of Detroit.

“I have no higher priority than delivering for my constituents and my community, which has perhaps the highest level of poverty and need in the state,” Whitsett told Bridge in a text message. “As a representative, I cannot secure outcomes for my community if I don’t ask for them.”

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has proposed a $85 billion budget, and lawmakers have until fall at the latest to approve their own version. State Rep. Ann Bollin said there will be healthy debate about what projects are funded as those conversations continue.

“As we continue to work our way through these legislatively directed projects … there’ll be an opportunity for people to make a pitch” as to why their earmark should make the cut, said Bollin, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee.   

Bollin didn’t have an immediate deadline for finalizing the number of earmarks, other than to note it would coincide with state budget negotiations.

The earmark process has been rife with controversy for years, in part because lawmakers tucked away requests in huge spending bills that were passed in the dead of night. That has created some eyebrow-raising grants, including millions for rockets, private firms and projects to benefit those with political connections.

Related:

• Michigan lawmakers act on earmark, public record transparency reforms
• Gretchen Whitmer pitches earmark transparency. See who added $600M in ‘pork’
• Michigan lawmakers begin public pitches for earmarks under new transparency rule

This year, however, House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, implemented new House rules that mandate lawmakers need to submit funding requests at least 14 days before any votes. 

Hall has also vowed to block any earmarks that don’t comport with the House’s new rules. 

The Senate hasn’t made any similar reform and is likely to have different earmarks included in its version of the budget. That could lead to a conflict later this year when the two chambers convene to reconcile their spending bills.

By far the biggest earmark request came from Rep. Brian BeGole, R-Perry, who is seeking $207 million — the next largest request is $90 million — to revamp the Owosso water and sewer system. 

Owosso, in Shiawassee County, is a town of just under 15,000 people. 

Rep. John Roth, R-Interlochen, submitted the most earmarks on the Republican side at 29. He also requested the most dollarwise relative to everyone else in the Legislature. 

These requests range from $100,000 for the Benzie Wellness and Aquatic Center to $40 million for Teach for America. 

They also include $39 million for Michigan State University’s agriculture biology research program, $35 million for Grand Traverse County’s youth treatment facility and another $34 million for MSU Extension office. Two dozen of his requests were for $1 million or more.

He told Bridge on Thursday the excess of requests was partially borne out of the last few budget cycles and the fact that, “northern Michigan hasn’t felt like they were even heard.” 

“We’ll see how many will actually be approved,” Roth said, adding he’s clearly not expecting all 29 to get the green light, “but I think they’re all good requests.”

The two largest nonprofit requests came from Rep. Tim Kell, R-Saginaw, who requested $40 million for the School Community Health Alliance of Michigan to provide clinics to help adolescent students and Roth, who sought $40 million for Teach for America, which he said is addressing a teacher shortage by providing classroom instructors.

Unlike in past years, none of the requests appears to be for a private development.