FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
January 30, 2020
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org
Both officials continually claimed it was framed as a “long-term” solution, which is not true
LANSING — During a press conference today in Lansing, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield continually lied about how Gov. Gretchen Whitmer framed her bonding proposal to fix some of Michigan’s worst roads.
Numerous times during the press conference, Chatfield and Shirkey claimed Gov. Whitmer had framed the bonding proposal as a “long-term” fix. They went on to say that by claiming it was a “long-term” fix, she was being dishonest with the people of Michigan.
As it turns out, they’re the ones who are trying to dupe the people, as Gov. Whitmer clearly said in her speech that the bonding was not a long-term solution and that the legislature needed to help create such a solution:
“But let me be clear: these new projects will only address the worst of our most highly traveled state roads. We still need the legislature to come up with a real, long-term solution to fix the roads.”
“Despite being seated right behind her, Mike Shirkey and Lee Chatfield were too busy looking forward to after-parties with corporate lobbyists to pay attention to what the Governor actually said,” said Lonnie Scott, executive director of Progress Michigan. “Regardless of what you think about this proposal or any other plan to fix the roads, we will never be able to solve the problem if the two highest ranking legislators are lying about what the Governor said. They’ve offered no real solutions, no alternatives to the Governor’s plan for well over a year. The Governor is right to carry on without them any way she can in the best interest of Michigan citizens.”
In fact, the Associated Press noted Whitmer’s point that using bonds to pay for roads was not a long-term solution, writing: “Whitmer acknowledged that a long-term road funding fix will come with bipartisanship efforts in Lansing, but said she wants people to know she’s taking action now.”
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