LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The newly elected GOP majority in the Michigan House is going after financial waste and bad practices in the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Holding the DNR accountable.
State Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord) is one of those Republican lawmakers. He has been appointed to several committees, including the House Appropriations Committee and the Agriculture and Rural Development and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee.
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The longtime critic of the DNR said he hopes the department is willing to work with lawmakers to ensure that taxpayer money is being spent wisely and with the best interest of Michiganders in mind.
“We have a responsibility to protect recreational opportunities for people across Michigan. If DNR bureaucrats don’t give up their attempts to raise fees, clear-cut forests, and support policies that chase people away from the outdoors, we will zero out their budget and get them out of the way,” said Borton. “This isn’t going to be an easy job. We’re talking about a budget that was over $82 billion dollars last year. We have a responsibility to look at every department and the programs they operate and ensure every dollar of waste is cut.”
The DNR’s recent track record.
Talks of how the DNR spends money has been on Michigan’s radar recently. Public outcry emerged after people found out the DNR planned to lease 400-plus acres of public land to a private company for a solar array. Future projects have since been paused.
In addition, the legislature tried to pass an “opt out” plan instead of an “opt in” option for recreation passports during the lame duck session. It failed, with some lawmakers pointed out that the DNR was acting dishonestly and people would inadvertently be paying higher fees.
Borton is a third-term lawmaker who represents people in Crawford, Missaukee, Otsego, and Roscommon counties along with portions of Antrim, Kalkaska, and Oscoda counties.
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