KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Some of Governor Whitmer’s line-item vetoes in the state budget included a veto of $13 million for funding the State secondary road patrol program.
According to an official press release, the program’s funding is used by county sheriffs to hire additional personnel to patrol secondary roads throughout the state.
“After the governor’s veto, I reached out to sheriffs Bailey and Behnke to learn just how detrimental a funding cut to the secondary road patrol program would be for the safety of our communities,” State Rep. Brad Paquette said in the press release. “Our sheriff departments are already stretched thin. A cut to their funding will greatly hinder the departments’ ability to keep residents safe. I support restoring funding to this vital program and hope our governor will remember the importance of fully funding public safety.”
In Kalamazoo, Sheriff Richard Fuller is concerned about how the budget cuts will affect the department.
“That will mean the elimination of two deputies off the road in Kalamazoo County when we’re already at some of the same numbers that we had in 1969 for road patrol strength,” Fuller said. “Our population grows but our dollars shrink, and that has to change.”
Fuller is also concerned about how the budget cuts will affect other areas of the County.
“The County Jail Reimbursement program that was cut in the same budget we’re talking about will cost the County of Kalamazoo roughly $1 million,” Fuller said. “That will take away a number of deputies or a number of jail staff outside of the jail, and that’s one that we’re really working hard on.”
Fuller says some positions may be cut if the funding isn’t figured out.
“The deupty that we’re talking about that responds to the emergencies for traffic crashes or investigations will be eliminated,” Fuller said. “In Kalamazoo County, again, there will be two deputy positions that would be eliminated if these dollars are not restored somehow.”
Governor Whitmer reportedly wants to talk with Republican lawmakers to try and figure out a budget that mutually satisfies both parties.
