LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Michigan GOP-controlled House is looking to set a new tone.

Oversight is key.

According to State Rep. Jamie Thompson (R-Brownstown), new legislative committees will examine how state government is operating. The goal? To hold it accountable and ensure it is operating effectively and responsibly for Michiganders.

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Rep. Thompson said in order to make that happen, there will be six bipartisan oversight subcommittees to examine the weaponization of state government, child welfare, corporate subsidies and state investments, public health, foreign influence, and more.

“A government that works responsibly and in the best interest of the people has not been a priority in Lansing,” Thompson said, referring to the recent years of Democratic control. “We’ve seen hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars going to projects with ties to China. “There’s very little transparency or accountability guardrails for the people.” Rep. Thompson added, “These committees will provide that transparency and work to establish a system of state government that people can trust and know is working in their best interest.

GOP not interested in rolling out red carpet for China.

Those projects connected to China include Gotion in Big Rapids and the Ford’s BlueOval project in Marshall. That project is under federal scrutiny after it landed on the U.S. Department of Defense’s 1260H list this week. Rep. Thompson’s colleague, Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport), wants the hundreds of millions of dollars spent on that project returned to taxpayers.

Child welfare in the spotlight.

Rep. Thompson said meeting with victims and families spurred her to request that the state Auditor General’s office issue a performance review of the Hawthorn Center in Northville Township. Thompson said patient care and treatment by staff, among other problems, must be examined.  The Auditor General’s office is investigating allegations at that facility and other state-run psychiatric hospitals.

Thompson also worked with Jami Vaughn, whose son was captured being assaulted on surveillance video at the state-run Walter P. Reuther Psychiatric Hospital in Westland, to bring further awareness to child welfare problems in Michigan. She said Democrat-led committees dropped the ball when it came to holding hearings on mistreatment and abuse.

“These kids deserve better,” Rep. Thompson said.