Steve Cortes, CNN Political Commentator (left) & David Martin, Michigan House Representative (right) | Facebook
Steve Cortes, CNN Political Commentator (left) & David Martin, Michigan House Representative (right) | Facebook
Michigan guitarist and sportsman Ted Nugent is scheduled to testify at a joint committee hearing on Wednesday. The hearing will involve the Natural Resources & Tourism Committee, chaired by Rep. David Martin (R-Davison), the Agriculture and Rural Development and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Ken Borton (R-Gaylord), and the Weaponization of State Government Oversight Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia). Nugent's testimony will focus on accountability for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and address recent allegations of abuse.
Rep. Ken Borton has expressed concerns about what he describes as overreaches by the DNR, which he claims have persisted for years. Borton cited his own experience in 2010 when he was accused by the DNR of operating an illegal bait pile for hunting deer through a birdfeeder livestream called ‘The Snowman Cam’. He contested this in court and won, leading him to advocate for reducing DNR’s regulatory enforcement scope.
“Michigan residents entrust their government with their tax dollars, hoping they’ll be used in good faith to govern responsibly and keep them safe,” said Borton. “Instead, the state and the DNR collude to weaponize their enforcement power on their own citizens.”
Recently, testimonies before the House Oversight Subcommittee on Weaponization of State Government revealed controversial practices under the DNR’s Invasive Species Order against pig farmers and game ranch owners. Witnesses reported that undercover agents were used to infiltrate farms, seize pigs without compensation, or force farmers to slaughter animals based on appearance criteria linked to Russian boar resemblance.
In another instance last month, Rigas’ subcommittee heard from Detroit Animal Welfare Group regarding legal disputes with the DNR over attempts to rescue starving deer. Rigas criticized these actions: “It’s baffling to me that this is what our government is doing with our tax dollars,” she said.
“The recent actions and behavior perpetrated by the DNR are inexcusable,” stated Martin. He emphasized that such practices discourage tourism and affect Michigan families negatively.
Martin further commented on governance principles: “Our founders intended for government to be a government of, by, and for the people.”
Nugent's testimony is set for 10:30 a.m., available online or in-person at Room 352 of the State Capitol Building.
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