by P.D. Lesko
What Americans call political pork spending (legislators who ask that federal and state spending be approved for pet projects) in the Michigan Legislature is referred to as “directed spending.” Michigan GOP leaders have created a public database of every directed spending request made by Michigan legislators. The database includes the name(s) of the legislators who are requesting money for pork projects, the amount(s) requested and an explanation of the projects. The 110 members of the Michigan House have made over 800 requests for public funding of pork projects, according to data released by Republican leaders. This is double the previously highest total number of earmark spending requests.
If the 2026 budget were to contain all those requests, pork spending would be more than twice the size of the total for fiscal year 2024, which set a record. April 18 was the deadline for legislators to request the set-asides. Typically, a legislator will request that an organization, such as a nonprofit or local township, receive a specified amount of taxpayer dollars.
Washtenaw County legislator Ypsilanti’s Jimmie Wilson, Jr.’s requests for pork spending include an earmark for $200,000 in funding for the “planning and implementation phase” costs of a cafe by an Ypsilanti non-profit whose total 2024 revenue was just slightly more than $355,000. The non-profit declared having more than $255,000 in cash assets. The President of the Board of the non-profit is Washtenaw County Chief Asst. Prosecutor Victoria Burton-Harris.
Rep. Wilson has also asked for $140,000 in public money to replace the asphalt roof of the “Ypsilanti History Center” (operated by the Ypsilanti Historical Society) with a “standing seam metal roof.”
According to Wilson’s earmark request form, the Ypsilanti Historical Society has 441 members and an annual “$85,000 debt free budget.” The Historical Society’s most recent 990 federal income tax return shows the non-profit reported just over $100,000 in gross revenue and $301,000 in publicly-traded securities (stocks and bonds). Among the Historical Society’s expenditures is $4,000 in investment management fees, $10,393 in “office expenses” and $22,000 in occupancy (rent).
Another of Rep. Wilson’s requests for pork spending is $250,000 for Belleville-based non-profit Survivor’s Speak, headed by Trishe Duckworth. The non-profit’s most recent 990 federal income tax return shows gross income of $85,220 and a net loss of $18,531. Of the non-profit’s $103,751 in expenditures, $42,634 were categorized as “other.” Among those “other” expenditures were $5,039 for “entertainment,” $7,161 for “office expenses,” and $807 on “pet supplies.”
Rep. Wilson’s request for $250,000 in public money for Survivor’s Speak explains: “The legislatively directed funding request will go towards a vehicle purchase, to better ensure reliable transportation throughout the communities, volunteer support stipends, and program funding and operational costs.”
Ann Arbor DDA Wants $5M For “Bollards and Ballistics”
Ann Arbor’s State Rep. Jason Morgan’s request for one earmark targets funding for the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce’s social media spending ($3,000,000) in Rep. Joe Tate’s Ninth District. Rep. Morgan’s explanation of why the earmark should be approved is, “To enhance economic prosperity through key programming focused on increasing the talent pipeline through exposure and experiential learning; attracting and retaining talent on a regional level; and promoting careers in automotive and mobility related fields.”
Along with Representative Jennifer Conlin, Representative Morgan Foreman, and Representative Carrie Rheingans, Rep. Morgan has also requested $1.29 million for The Treeline Conservancy. Rep. Morgan and Rep. Conlin explain that the funding “will benefit residents, students, commuters, recreational users, visitors, and downtown businesses. As such, the North Segment of the Treeline is a widely beneficial use of taxpayer dollars.”
The Treeline Conservancy’s most recent 990 federal income tax return shows in the pursuit of creating a 2.75 mile trail that connects downtown with the river area, the non-profit took in $217,730 and spent $322,875. Of the non-profit’s $217,730 in income, Exec. Dir. Ellen Plummer was paid over $114,000. Since 2019, The Treeline Conservancy has taken in $1.67 million and paid Ellen Plummer $409,000. The proposed $1,295,000 earmark would be more than five times the non-profit’s annual revenue declared on its most recent income tax return.
The Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority (DDA) seeks to benefit from pork spending. Rep. Jennifer Conlin, Rep. Carrie Rheingans, and Rep. Morgan Foreman have submitted a request for $5,000,000 to go to the DDA, which sits in Rep. Jason Morgan’s district. The DDA wants money for a “proposed project that includes the installation of retractable bollards at 21 critical intersections in downtown Ann Arbor, along with the purchase of a supplemental barrier system that will protect areas where retractable bollards are not feasible.” The 2026 project for which the DDA wants Michigan taxpayer money is called “Bollards and Ballistics Protection.”
The ask for state funds made on behalf of the DDA includes this: “Downtown Ann Arbor is a regional destination, hosting nearly 21 million visitors annually,” and that “the recent tragedy in New Orleans highlights the importance of effective protection for both streets and sidewalks.” In Nov. 2023, Destination Ann Arbor (the City’s Visitors Bureau) published the results of a study that measured tourism. “The study also indicated that over six million visitors travel to Ann Arbor each year.”
The newspaper contacted DDA Exec. Dir. Maura Thomson to ask where the 21 million annual visitor figure used in the earmark request came from. Thomson said in an email, “The letter of support I provided to accompany the request did not include visitor data.”
Pittsfield Twp. Pols Raise Salaries, Request $5 Million From Michigan Taxpayers to Complete Public Safety Building
Pittsfield Twp. Rep. Morgan Foreman has requested $5,000,000 in state spending to get the newly-elected Supervisor Trish Reilly and her Board of Trustees out of a jam.
The previous Supervisor and Board of Trustees had allocated $5 million to begin the construction of a new building for the township’s police and fire departments.
Sup. Reilly’s letter to Rep. Morgan Foreman (D-36 Pittsfield) explains that in Fall 2023, $3 million was allocated from the township’s General Fund and $2 million from the township’s Public Safety Millage to “initiate the project which is now underway.” The project was approved “with the expectation that the Township would receive $5 million in matching federal grants.” Rep. Dingell came through with $2.5 million in federal funds, but that money fell through. “The Township will receive $0 federal funds in FY25,” wrote Sup. Reilly in the letter to Rep. Morgan.
In 2025, the Township’s Public Safety Millage is projected to bring in a total of $17.3 million and expend $8.1 million on police and $5.2 million of fire services, leaving a $4 million surplus. In 2024, the Public Safety Millage had a $2.5 million surplus.
The total 2025 general fund budget of Pittsfield Twp. is $19.5 million, down from $20.8 million in 2024. The Township’s 2025 budget shows to offset with the drop in general fund revenue, officials implemented a 62 percent cut to the amount spent on roads and roads maintenance, and a 22 percent cut to the amount spent on building maintenance. Salaries for the Supervisor, Trustees and employees in every department were increased, as well as the amounts spent on fringe benefits for township employees.
To view all earmarks submitted by Michigan State Reps., click here.
Comments are closed, but trackbacks and pingbacks are open.