Shelby Review

This week, Dr. Kelley LaBonty, Director of the Detroit Animal Welfare Group (DAWG), provided testimony before the Government Weaponization Committee. She alleged that the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office targeted her organization with investigations and charges after she criticized the state's handling of a deer starvation crisis in 2018.

Dr. LaBonty stated that she collaborated with the late Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson on a plan to aid emaciated deer, which was blocked by the DNR. Following this, DAWG faced inspections and threats regarding its wildlife rehabilitation license, along with criminal charges.

Her attorney, Celeste Dunn, described a pattern of retaliatory actions including armed officers outside her property and unannounced inspections based on questionable tips such as a Facebook post. A judge later ruled in favor of DAWG in a permit revocation case due to lack of documented basis for many state actions.

The hearing focused not on guilt or innocence but on whether state power is being used to silence dissent, potentially violating Constitutional rights. Dr. LaBonty's case raises questions about regulatory authority misuse and government accountability when targeting citizens who speak out.

In legislative updates, several bills were passed with various outcomes:

- HB 4222 passed 80–26: Enhances school safety plans.

- HB 4226 passed 81–25: Increases required lockdown drills.

- HB 4225 passed 99–7: Mandates OK2Say hotline on student IDs; opposed due to local control concerns.

- HB 4258 & 4259 passed with strong support: Ensure quick sharing of student safety tips.

- HB 4229 passed overwhelmingly: Requires public reporting on school safety tip processing.

- HB 4223 & HB4315 faced opposition due to cost concerns for mandated training without clear pricing.

- HB 4392 & HB 4118 received wide approval: Focused on natural resources access and fair cost distribution for drainage upgrades near state land.

- HB 4090 aims to return control of a correctional facility back to Detroit city management.

- Opposition voiced against tax code patch (HB4201) due to preference for systemic reform over special exemptions.

- HBs 4104 & 4309 facilitate healthcare workforce expansion through national licensure compacts.

- Consumer transparency addressed with labeling requirements for lab-grown meat (HB4076).

- Gas station inventory rule reform (HB4276) supported small business competition.

- SBs aimed at fixing financial disclosure system glitches extended filing deadlines.

A resolution supporting Line 5 pipeline operation was also approved due to its importance for energy affordability and security in Michigan.

For further information or inquiries, Representative Josh Schriver can be contacted via phone or email as provided in his newsletter.