Legislators go fetch $5M for Macomb Humane Society

Two members of the state House of Representatives have submitted nearly identical funding requests for $5 million that would go to the Humane Society of Macomb. It is a nonprofit animal shelter of which Rep. Joseph Aragona, R-Clinton Township, who did not request the money, sits on the board of directors.

Reps. Karen Whitsett, a Democrat from Detroit, and Ron Robinson, R-Utica, each filed a request for a $5 million earmark.

The money is intended for capital improvements at the shelter, which its leaders say operates out of a deteriorating building.

The request appears to be a duplicate request, Aragona told Michigan Capitol Confidential in a phone interview.

Aragona said the animal shelter serves the region, not just the county. Whitsett loves dogs and wanted to help, he said, and that is likely why she also submitted the request.

Aragona is the president of the board of the nonprofit, though he does not financially benefit from the position.

A portion of Whitsett’s request reads:

“This money will be used to help build a new animal shelter building. The current building is in disrepair. The Macomb Humane Society takes in animals, cares for them, offers animals for adoption, etc.”

Macomb Humane Society

Robinson’s request, which was joined by Rep. Douglas Wozniak, R-Shelby Township, echoed Whitsett’s:

“The purpose of this project is to improve the building for the Humane Society of Macomb. The current building is in disrepair and needs work. Despite that, they take in many stray animals around Macomb County, rehome them, and take care of them.”

Financial records from the organization indicate that it generated $783,771 in revenue for 2023. It also euthanized and cremated 765 animals in 2023, according to public filings.

In 2023, it paid $646,149 in salaries and wages. It made $17,665 in pension contributions.

The Michigan House has received nearly $4 billion in earmark requests so far this year. In a move to promote greater transparency, House Speaker Matt Hall has required that all legislator funding requests be made public and available online.