Michele Hoitenga

ALPENA — Michigan State House Bill 4328, which was passed nearly unanimously with a 107-1 vote on May 7, has been stalled in the Senate since being referred to the Committee on Appropriations.

The bill would provide $100 million toward local recovery efforts which is estimated to cost about $400 million, much of which was from the damage from the storm, State Senator Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, Hoitenga says.

She told The News that whereas the relief funding from the federal government excludes individuals from receiving aid, the state bill will include individuals.

Hoitenga says she doesn’t understand why the bill has been stalled in the committee, when the money is needed to help those who were impacted by the storm and the costs associated with it.

Hoitenga explained that providing funding relief for individuals is the most important aspect of the bill.

“Those are the most vulnerable, those are who I am worried about,” Hoitenga said. “This is why the state bill is so important.”

Hoitenga explained that everyone she has spoken with on both sides of the aisle are “very supportive of the bill.” However, Hoitenga said she is at a loss as to why the bill has yet to even receive a committee hearing.

“If tweaks are needed, the committee process flushes it out,” Hoitenga said.

She said she is equally as confused because the bill was received by the House with bipartisan support.

Hoitenga said that the bill is not being tied up by budget negotiations so that is not a factor as to why the bill has been stalled. She stated that requests for more data regarding ice storm damage may be stalling the process.

“I’m unsure why the storm relief bill is stuck in the Senate. If there are issues with it, they should be sorted out in the committee process, but we can’t even get a hearing scheduled,” Hoitenga said. “The data for the FEMA request has already been gathered and approved, but it doesn’t cover individuals. The House bill is crucial for helping those who are most vulnerable. While collecting data isn’t my job, I’m focused on making sure that those responsible for distributing the funds do so fairly and appropriately. The people I serve need action now, and politics shouldn’t interfere with the urgent help they need.”

Hoitenga said whether the ice storm occurred in her district or in another, she would still be supportive of the bill.

State Representative Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, also voiced his frustrations, telling The News that he is also unsure why it has taken so long for the bill to get through the Senate.

“In the House you saw a lot of us Northern Michigan reps. going to our colleagues across the aisle and showing them how urgent it was to get relief funding as soon as possible,” Cavitt said. “I, along with our entire Northern Michigan community, am extremely frustrated with the feet-dragging happening in the Senate. We’re hearing about potential changes to the bill — which happens with all legislation — but I think a lot of us have been left asking why it took until August for them to decide to make changes to our relief funding plan that our communities needed months ago.”

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.