Featured in Tudor Dixon and Kevin Rinke’s wrong-for-Michigan agendas is a dangerous crusade to force billions in cuts to critical services – including education, infrastructure, and law enforcement. Sheriffs from Washtenaw, Eaton, and Kalamazoo Counties are among the latest to point out the devastating impact the plan would have on Michigan communities.
Dixon and Rinke continue to tout a “piss-poor public policy proposal” that “those who watch the state’s budget closely said would be catastrophic for funding.” 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 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.’”
See quotes below from current and retired sheriffs and law enforcement officials.
JERRY CLAYTON – WASHTENAW COUNTY
“Governor Whitmer continues her support of police, law enforcement and our communities by providing the tools we need to keep Michigan families safe,” said Washtenaw County Sheriff Jerry Clayton. “The Governor has fought to secure resources to hire more officers and prepare them to more effectively serve the people of Michigan by providing better training. The plan laid out by Republicans running for governor promotes devastating and irresponsible cuts that threaten to undermine our public safety mission.”
TOM REICH – EATON COUNTY
“Governor Whitmer has always stood with law enforcement,” said Eaton County Sheriff Tom Reich. “From securing resources to hire new officers and expand body cams to strengthening mental health care and training opportunities for police, we know she will continue fighting to support law enforcement in Michigan.”
ELI SAVIT – WASHTENAW COUNTY PROSECUTOR
“As a former prosecutor, Governor Whitmer has prioritized supporting Michigan’s public safety and law enforcement officers to ensure people feel safe no matter where they are or what they’re doing in their communities,” said Washtenaw County Prosecutor Eli Savit. “Tudor Dixon’s plan is unsustainable and would strip law enforcement of crucial resources they need to continue protecting Michiganders – it would ravage our public safety infrastructure in the state and leave our communities more vulnerable and unsafe.”
STEVEN ALLEN – RETIRED
“Republicans running for governor have all committed to a plan that would gut resources for Michigan police and prevent us from doing our jobs,” said retired law enforcement sergeant Steven Allen. “But Governor Whitmer has our back. She is empowering law enforcement to hire and train more officers, and she is boosting revenue-sharing to support local police.”
