Michigan dDemocrats have received heavy criticism from residents for approving a $170 million Chinese-backed green energy project, with angry citizens imploring the committee to “do what right.”
Residents gathered for a Michigan Senate appropriations committee hearing to condemn the use of $175 million in taxpayer funds to build an electric battery plant owned by Gotion, a Chinese technology company, in Big Rapids Township.
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Hannah Saez, the clerk of Big Rapids Township, Michigan, appeared before the committee, saying she was “very disappointed” that negotiations were on the agenda.
“‘I can confirm, however, that our community is now united in ways that they have never done before. They don’t want it, “said Saez, mentioning that more than 50% of citizens responded to a survey does not want the built plant.
Saez said he was disappointed by the “dishonest” local lawmakers who sided with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), who announced in October that Gotion High Tech, Gotion’s parent company, would invest $2.4 billion to build two production plants in the state.
The Big Rapids clerk cited national security concerns as a reason for voting against the measure.
“Quite frankly, this is not what any of us chose to do. I am sure that under oath, giving American dollars to a foreign company that endangers our national security is not in question,” Saez said.
“I don’t understand the urgency to vote on something that even our governor can’t say whether he supports or not,” Saez said. “Our community is outraged.”
He “asked” committee members to vote no or vote to postpone the measure.
“Thousands of Michiganders will be watching today,” he said. “I know you all get daily emails and phone calls. I know you’re under pressure. I know you’re probably under pressure. I’m asking you to do what’s right here even if it knocks corruption at your door.”
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Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Jan. 25, 2023, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich.
(AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Despite hearing many heated comments from Big Rapids citizens, the committee approved the measure in a narrow 10-9 vote. Three Democrats joined all Republicans in voting against construction.
Cheryl Vitito, a Big Rapids resident, said the project would help the Chinese Communist Party in its mission to “overthrow the United States without firing a shot.”
“This CCP-controlled company represents communism and is a threat to our way of life and our God-given constitutional freedom,” Vitito said. “We don’t want the CCP here through the Gotion plant because they don’t care about the value and dignity of human life.”
Gotion High Tech’s corporate bylaws reportedly require it to conduct “Party activities in accordance with the Constitution of the Communist Party of China,” per Fox News.
Kyle Luce, the supervisor of Barton Township, which is located near the proposed facility, said that 85% of his residents surveyed were against Gotion’s project.
“Our citizens are concerned about the time frame that is going on here. The timing seems to be accelerated exponentially, in our opinion, to try to seal the deal and to do it before people have a chance to speak, the residents have a opportunity to speak,” Luce said.
“We are very concerned as a small municipality in the middle of Michigan. We are primarily a farm community, and we are concerned about our environment. I am here just to speak and ask you to ignore this or table. this until further investigation can be done,” he said.
Marjorie Steele, a Big Rapids resident, said she was “outraged” that the move was quickly scheduled without “due diligence” on the risks.
“I am outraged that you, our elected officials, have ignored the pleas of my community to table this vote until some semblance of due diligence is done.”
Steele criticized Green Charter Township’s Jim Chapman, who called the project “the opportunity of a generation,” for calling him a “paid protester.”
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“I am outraged that he has accused myself and my neighbors of being paid protesters. I assure you, I have lost money in my advocacy on this issue,” Steele said.
“I can promise you that we will not stop at the local level. We are tired of the abuse, and we are not alone. This is not just a Mecosta County issue. , and grassroots activism. Your votes today, senators, line drawn in the sand,” he said.