Holland Reporter

Matt Hall, a representative for Michigan's 42nd District and Speaker of the Michigan House, said that Senate Democrats are prioritizing corporate subsidies over the House’s plan to repair the state's roads. This statement was made on X on April 16.

"Senate Dems held a hearing today to attack our roads plan," said Hall, District 42. "They really prefer corporate welfare to fixing potholes. We can fix the roads if we just stop handing out hundreds of millions to politically-connected corps. The Senate needs to get serious."

According to the Michigan Infrastructure & Transportation Association (MITA), the state requires an additional $1.88 billion annually through 2033 to bring roads and bridges to good condition. MITA reports that as of 2023, 44% of Michigan roads and 11% of its bridges are in poor condition. Without sustained investment, these figures are projected to worsen over the next decade.

The Michigan Senate Fiscal Agency’s January 2025 Economic Outlook reported that the state appropriated $822.1 million to the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund in fiscal year 2023–24. The SOAR Fund is used to incentivize large-scale economic development projects, often benefiting major corporations. Lawmakers have debated the fund’s cost-effectiveness and its impact on long-term budget priorities like infrastructure.

According to the Citizens Research Council of Michigan, inflation-adjusted road funding per vehicle in Michigan has declined by 23% since 2000. The report highlights that current revenue sources, including fuel taxes and registration fees, are insufficient to meet long-term infrastructure needs. It concludes that Michigan's road funding system requires restructuring to ensure sustainable investment.

Hall has served in the House since 2019 and was elected Speaker in 2023. He represents District 42, which includes parts of Kalamazoo and Allegan Counties. Hall has focused on fiscal reform, infrastructure, and reducing corporate influence in state spending.