Michigan Democratic lawmakers and the state’s governor Gretchen Whitmer are facing irate taxpayers after authorizing taxpayer funds for a “green energy” project with links to the Communist Party of China (CCP) .
At a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, lawmakers approved $175 million in public funding for Gotion, a Chinese company, to construct an electric vehicle battery factory in Big Rapids, Michigan.
However, concerns were raised by the public and some lawmakers due to Gotion’s parent company, Gotion High-Tech, having corporate bylaws that establish a CCP Committee within the company.
“The Party Committee of the Company shall perform its duties in accordance with the Constitution of the Communist Party of China and other Party regulations,” the bylaws state.
Despite opposition from committee Republicans and three Democrats, the measure passed with a 10-9 vote.
Michigan residents expressed worries about the allegiance of the parent company to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Some voiced concerns about the potential threat to national security, citing Gotion’s pledge of allegiance to the CCP in their corporate bylaws.
Democratic Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had announced in October that Gotion’s investment of $2.36 billion and creation of 2,350 jobs through the factory development was a significant economic development project for Northern Michigan, promoting the state’s status as a global hub of mobility and electrification.
However, the controversy surrounding the decision has sparked criticism from some Michigan residents and lawmakers about using taxpayer funds to benefit a company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
Michigan residents voiced concerns about the parent company’s Chinese Communist Party (CCP) allegiance.
“I think that any Chinese communist plant buying up 700 acres of Michigan land is a concern to all citizens throughout the state,” resident Cheryl Vitito said. “This CCP-controlled company represents communism and is a threat to our way of life and our God-given and constitutional freedoms. We don’t want the CCP here by way of the Gotion plant as they have no regard for the value and dignity of human life.”
“This company pledges allegiance to the Chinese Communist Party and should be determined as a threat to our national security,” said another resident Shirley Schaefer.
It “is the biggest ever economic development project in Northern Michigan and will shore up our status as the global hub of mobility and electrification,” said Whitmer.
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Source: Becker News Rephrased By: InfoArmed