"We're spending millions of dollars that could be used for housing, for legislator security at town halls.”

Michigan state Sen. Jeff Irwin. The Ann Arbor Democrat criticized a new $6 million allocation to expand the powers and reach of the state Legislature’s sergeants-at-arms, law enforcement agencies traditionally limited to enforcing rules and providing security inside the Capitol. The funding, approved as part of the state budget signed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, will allow the sergeants to investigate crimes and protect lawmakers anywhere in Michigan. Irwin called the measure “embarrassing,” arguing that lawmakers were diverting limited public resources to protect themselves rather than addressing issues like housing and public safety for residents. (Detroit News)