House budget chair’s business affiliates received funds from state

State Rep. Andrew Fink (R-Adams Township) has introduced House Resolution 141 to form a select committee to investigate the conduct of House Appropriations Chair Angela Witwer.

Fink said the people deserve full transparency from Witwer after The Detroit News reported that a public relations firm she founded has multiple clients that lobbied for policy changes or funding in the state budget. State documents filed by the firm, Edge Partnerships, show that as recently as 2022, Witwer was still the resident agent and a member of the business even while serving as a legislator.

Edge Partnerships’ clients appear to have benefitted greatly from the historic $82 billion state budget that Witwer crafted with fellow Democrat lawmakers earlier this year.

“Legislators have a duty to work on behalf of the people of Michigan in obedience to our oaths of office and a certain code of ethics,” Fink said. “When concerns are raised about a legislator’s ethical behaviors, they should be open to a comprehensive look into their actions. Those who have nothing to hide would not shirk such transparency measures.”

Fink also previously introduced bills to establish a committee to enforce legislative ethics both this year and in the 2021-22 legislative term.

The resolution Fink introduced today would form a six-member select committee, evenly split with Democrats and Republicans. The Speaker of the House and House Republican Leader would each designate a co-chair. The committee would report its findings to the full House of Representatives.

HR 141 was referred to the House Government Operations Committee, a committee known for shelving legislation that a majority caucus has no intention of advancing.

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