DeVos sellout and special interest candidate Tudor Dixon continues to tout a “piss-poor public policy proposal” that “would be catastrophic for funding” for public services like law enforcement. It is estimated to eliminate nearly $12 billion from the budget and $8 billion from the general fund, threatening the “primary funding source” providing over 60% of the Michigan State Police budget and threatening thousands of law enforcement jobs.
The Michigan Association of Police Organizations warned in 2017 that plans like these “would have a devastating impact on police budgets at the state and local levels” and leave law enforcement “crippled.” Earlier this year, MAPO reiterated their opposition to a similar plan, noting that it “would reduce police protection and create ‘long-term budget problems.’” Dixon still “has not provided specifics” of how she plans to rip billions out of Michigan’s budget and fully fund law enforcement at the same time.
In fact, Dixon has said she “absolutely” supports “phas[ing] out” funding streams for critical services as quickly as possible.
Law enforcement in Michigan knows that public safety has remained a top priority for Governor Whitmer, who has delivered major investments in police and law enforcement so they have the tools they need to keep communities safe.
See what Michigan law enforcement and correctional officers had to say:
“I appreciate the Governor’s efforts to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and the public,” said Genesee County Sheriff Christopher Swanson. “She has worked across the aisle to improve training, increase mental health response, protect our roadways and secure funding to recruit more police professionals. Governor Whitmer knows it takes all Law Enforcement to keep our communities safe.”
“Governor Whitmer has prioritized public safety throughout her time in office,” said Marquette County Sheriff Greg Zyburt. “She has expanded training for officers, provided funds to help recruit more police, and increased access to body cams. The Governor has shown her commitment to law enforcement and that’s why I’m supporting her this fall.”
“I know the Governor has supported law enforcement since day one because she has fought for critical resources at every turn. She secured hazard pay for law enforcement during the pandemic, delivered funds to communities to hire more officers, and provided opportunities for officers to grow in their roles,” said Eaton County Sheriff Tom Reich. “While Tudor Dixon backs a plan that would force major cuts to public safety in Michigan, Governor Whitmer has delivered for law enforcement across the state.”
“Governor Whitmer has not only shown her respect for law enforcement but our families as well, said Michigan Department of Corrections Officer Larry Courts Jr. “She signed a bill that guarantees that the children of officers who have lost their parents in the line of duty will be supported with college tuition grants. It makes me rest a little easier knowing that the Governor is thinking about the families of officers.”
Governor Whitmer Made Significant Investments in Both Local and State Law Enforcement
- In the newest budget, Whitmer is delivering funding to recruit more law enforcement officers and expand training, and she secured $100 million to protect the retirement of Michigan State Troopers.
- Whitmer signed a bipartisan budget in 2021 that included a 12 percent funding increase for Michigan State Police including millions for officer recruitment and training, body cams, and to increase patrols on secondary roads.
- Whitmer increased State Police funding by nearly $100 million since taking office, signing two budgets that provided over $820 million in funding for the Department Of State Police.
- In the 2022 bipartisan budget alone, Governor Whitmer secured:
- $30 million for police recruitment and training
- Over $9 million for 120 new State Police troopers
- $3 million for de-escalation training for State Police
- $3.5 million for retail crime unit helping protect Michigan businesses
- $1.1 million for expanded efforts to fight cyber crime
- Nearly $1 million to fund “Secure Cities” partnerships between Michigan State Police and local law enforcement agencies
- After billions in cuts by past governors, Whitmer boosted revenue-sharing programs to $1.33 billion, benefitting local law enforcement.
- The total number of police officers and civilian law enforcement employees increased under Whitmer.
- The largest municipalities in Michigan have boosted their funding for police under Whitmer, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Dearborn, Grand Rapids, Sterling Heights, Novi, and Pontiac.
- Claims that Governor Whitmer defunded the police have been proven false time after time, and even conservatives and Republican lawmakers have denied the bogus claim.
Governor Whitmer Launched Operation Safe Neighborhoods, Proposed MI Safe Communities Plan, and Signed Bipartisan Legislation to Revamp Public Safety
- Just this July, Governor Whitmer signed bipartisan legislation to create and fund a new organized retail crime unit housed within the Department of the Attorney General to “help consumers avoid bad faith sellers.”
- And days ago, Whitmer launched Operation Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative that would “combat gun violence” by “remov[ing] illegal firearms from streets as well as those with criminal histories.”
- As part of her MI Safe Communities Plan, Governor Whitmer pushed the legislature to invest $75 million “to hire more police officers, increase their pay and fund programs to fight a surge in violent crime across the state.”
- This plan provides funding to reduce crime and keep families safe by tackling the court backlog, creating a jobs court to reduce recidivism through employment, getting illegal guns off the street, expanding resources for law enforcement, and investing in counseling and education.
