Senator Stabenow Statement on Eliminating Funding to Improve Michigan Cities, Neighborhoods

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow today made the following statement regarding the Senate Republican transportation legislation, which would eliminate $1.7 billion from the U.S. Department of Treasury's Hardest Hit Fund and dramatically cut funding for Michigan's blight removal efforts. This cut will affect cities throughout Michigan, including Detroit, Adrian, Ecorse, Flint, Grand Rapids, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Ironwood, Jackson, Lansing, Muskegon Heights, Pontiac, Port Huron, River Rouge, and Saginaw.

"It is outrageous that Senate Republicans have proposed paying for critical improvements to our roads and bridges by taking away millions of dollars in funding to strengthen our communities and make neighborhoods better places for families to live. This funding is helping remove abandoned homes and dangerous buildings while revitalizing Michigan's businesses and communities. I'm leading the fight to protect the Hardest Hit Fund so our cities aren't handed a bill for money that they were promised and have already spent. This kind of support is making a real difference in the fight to ensure that neighborhoods are strong, safe, and viable places to raise families."