Macomb Today

State Representative Joseph Aragona, the Republican vice chair of the Housing Subcommittee, has expressed his concerns regarding Governor Whitmer's response to the housing shortage in Michigan. In a statement issued following Whitmer's State of the State address, Aragona highlighted the need for more than just financial investment to address the issue.

Aragona stated, "As Gov. Whitmer claims credit for addressing Michigan's housing problems with federal dollars, we must acknowledge that throwing more and more money at this without fixing our broken bureaucracy won't solve our problems." He emphasized that simply providing funding without addressing the underlying bureaucratic issues would not lead to a sustainable solution.

The representative further criticized the governor's approach, stating, "Instead of pushing for solutions, her desire to grow government bureaucracy and her support for policies like reinstituting prevailing wage seem counterproductive, limiting housing construction and driving up costs." Aragona believes that Whitmer's focus on expanding the government and implementing policies that increase construction costs hinder progress rather than facilitate it.

Aragona proposed an alternative approach to tackling the housing shortage, suggesting that "creating an environment that supports local contractors, reducing bureaucratic red tape, and getting the government out of the way so our communities can make progress" would yield better results.

The housing issue in Michigan is a pressing concern, and it is crucial for policymakers to find effective and sustainable solutions. While Governor Whitmer has emphasized the allocation of federal funds towards addressing the problem, Aragona believes that a comprehensive strategy that addresses bureaucratic inefficiencies and encourages local participation is necessary.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how Governor Whitmer and other lawmakers will respond to these criticisms and work towards resolving the housing shortage in Michigan.