Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, is reportedly planning to give Norfolk Southern $15 million in taxpayer dollars to help expand its operations in the state, despite two separate derailments in the past month.
The proposal has sparked concern among Republican lawmakers who are calling for more scrutiny of the train operator in light of recent events.
Michigan Rep. James DeSana, a Republican, said in a statement on Feb. 22 that he objected to “another corporate welfare proposal from the Whitmer administration” that includes up to $15 million for the railway company for rail improvements.
The $15 million has reportedly been earmarked as part of Whitmer’s request for $750 million in spending for infrastructure to support a proposed Ford electric vehicle (EV) battery plant in Marshall. That money would go toward purchasing the land, improving roads in the area, and expanding a wastewater treatment plant, according to local reports….