Hamtramck’s Lansing representatives have steered millions here

Both state Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) and state Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) have directed millions of dollars in state funding to Hamtramck for various projects – including money for the fire department to purchase a new truck. File photo

By Charles Sercombe
This wasn’t the only year that state Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) managed to carve out funding for his district in the state’s new $82 billion budget.
In politics, when legislators steer state and national funding for projects in their district, it’s called “pork barrel” spending.
It’s also referred to, in a much more neutral term, as “earmarks.”
This year, Aiyash, who has also championed expanding the civil rights of the LGBTQ community during his tenure, brought home to Hamtramck $7.3 million for various projects.
Those projects include:
• $2 million for the enhancement of Veterans Park, to improve recreational facilities and make general infrastructure upgrades in the area

• $2 million for upgrades to the Hamtramck Public Services Department, to provide safer and more efficient public services

• $1.5 million allocated for alley and sidewalk repairs throughout the city

• $1 million for infrastructure improvements to Hamtramck Public Schools

• $800,000 for the Hamtramck Fire Department for the purchase of a new fire truck, due to critical problems with the existing trucks

State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit), whose district includes Hamtramck, also co-sponsored that Hamtramck funding, she said.
In total, Lansing legislators earmarked 320 special projects for their districts in this year’s state budget, totaling $1 billion.
Last year, according to state records, Aiyash brought in $1 million for the Detroit Opera House and $260,000 for sidewalk and alley repairs here in Hamtramck.
For those wondering, the Detroit Opera House was in Aiyash’s district, which has been redrawn for this year. Aiyash is not seeking re-election this year.
State Senator Chang was no slouch in bringing home the bacon, as the saying goes, for her entire district.
State records showed that, in 2023, she brought home to her district $14.7 million in various projects, and she co-sponsored various other projects in other districts.
This year, some of her projects that are being funded include:
• $1 million ongoing for the Concert of Colors
• $1 million for streetscape improvement and Chinatown history revitalization on Peterboro St.
• $200,000 for a new elevator for Hazel Park’s library
• $2 million for youth afterschool programming at the Downtown Boxing Gym
• $2 million for elevator repairs at a low-income senior apartment building in Detroit

Chang has also been championing making water affordable for low-income households.
She told The Review:
“Statewide, I’m excited about the $10 million included in the DHHS budget for water affordability, but we also know the need is much greater than that, and we are advocating for passage of our longer-term funding solution and water affordability program legislation.”
You can find out more about her plan by going online to miwaterplan.com.

Posted July 26, 2024