“House Republicans aren’t playing by the normal rules anymore, and that makes partisan hacks like Dana Nessel shake in their boots,” said Borton, R-Gaylord. “Instead of encouraging her own colleagues to consider legislation to address our concerns, she would rather threaten us with criminal charges for standing up for tipped workers and small businesses. Nessel should realize that we aren’t scared of her or her desperate attempts to weaponize the attorney general’s office as a last-ditch effort to extinguish what’s been a dumpster fire of a legislative term. Let her charge us; I want to look her in the eye in court while she tries to argue how my sticking up for restaurant workers and small businesses is a dereliction of duty.”

“It’s absurd that Democrats are considering using taxpayer dollars to help their wealthy friends buy e-bikes just after a record number of Michigan taxpayers just rejected the liberal agenda and embraced common-sense conservative fiscal responsibility,” said Borton, R-Gaylord. “Elected officials should be listening to everyday people and ensuring our focus is on the economic issues that clearly matter most right now.”

“We’re right up against the buzzer on this lame duck legislative session and Democrats are still completely ignorant to the dire situation faced by our tipped wage workers and small businesses,” said Borton, R-Gaylord. “Republicans recognize the urgency of getting something done; that’s why we’ve dragged Gov. Whitmer and legislative Democrats to the negotiating table for over a month now. But they’ve been distracted by their efforts to let murderers out of jail and clear the way for illegal immigrants to get driver’s licenses. We’ve been negotiating in good faith, and they’ve been dragging their feet as they try to strong arm their members into further destroying our state. We’re not going to stand for it anymore. The people chose Republicans because we’re going to save our tipped wage workers and small businesses, if the Democrats still don’t see that writing on the wall now, they’re in for a rude awakening come January.”

“This plan can’t be viewed as anything but a direct weaponization of government against our state police,” said Borton, R-Gaylord. “Under these bills, any firearm that comes into the possession of a state trooper must be destroyed. It doesn’t matter if a concerned citizen turns over a handgun they found on the street, or a priceless antique is handed over as part of a buyback. If MSP gets its hands on it, Democrats want it gone.”

“These deceiving efforts to boost their own bottom line just further expose DNR leadership’s long-term plan of stripping every ounce of joy from those who enjoy the outdoors,” said Borton, R-Gaylord. “Not only that, but now the DNR wants to trick people, many of whom live in the city and never have been to a state park, into purchasing year-long recreation passes. My wife and I love the recreation passes because we frequent state parks across Michigan, but we also love our freedom to opt-in to the program. No one should be automatically enrolled into a program they may be entirely unaware of.”

Vote explanations on eliminating work requirements, firearms in polling locations, and safe storage laws.

“House Republicans are committed to restoring balance to Lansing through common-sense policies focused on limiting government spending and helping families navigate through the broken economy we aim to fix,” said Borton, R-Gaylord. “The voters sent us back to Lansing with an unquestioned authority to stop radical liberal policies in their tracks and put the state on the right track. Over the next two years, we’re committed to showing Michigan families the overwhelming positive impact that quality Republican leadership can have on their everyday lives.”

“Restaurant workers have been pleading for relief. But when the Legislature met today, House Democrats still refused to act.”

State Rep. Ken Borton, R-Gaylord, and Greg Kates, Otsego County deputy sheriff and school resource officer, stand together at the Michigan State Capitol on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. Kates was Borton’s guest at the Michigan House of Representatives’ annual ceremony remembering 9/11 and honoring Michigan first responders.

“While navigating a construction zone isn’t exactly fun, projects like these truly are a sign of a healthy community,” said Borton, R-Gaylord. “I always try to remind folks of all the good behind construction. At the surface level, we’re creating jobs and producing a great result for our town. But when you look deeper, these improvements will be the first thing prospective business owners or residents see when they jump off the interstate.”

“Northern Michigan is filled with unique restaurants that people travel hundreds of miles to visit. Each of those locally owned operations is at risk of shutting down after this ruling,” said Borton, R-Gaylord. “These businesses rely on local people – from high school kids to adults who have worked in the service industry their entire lives – to stay afloat. These folks pride themselves in offering the best possible service and are rewarded through quality tipping. These extreme changes being pushed on us by the Supreme Court mean that most of these hard-working people will be laid off in the coming year. It’s unacceptable. The Legislature must return to work and save our restaurant and tourism industries.”