A major figure in the Michigan Republican Party has suggested that political donations will diminish unless GOP lawmakers do something to help property owners being impacted by Lake Michigan erosion. Former Ambassador Peter Secchia sent a letter in November to Republican leaders in the Legislature noting a $6 million property loss in Ottawa County due to high lake levels. At the time, he said there seemed to be “little interest” among lawmakers and added donations would “diminish” as property values fall. He told “The Detroit News” that he isn’t threatening anybody. Secchia is a Grand Rapids businessman who has been a Republican donor and
activist for decades.
Governor Whitmer’s proposed Fiscal Year 2021 budget included $40 million for grants for shoreline protection and erosion repairs. Additionally, Berrien County Commissioner Ezra Scott has been at the forefront of efforts to get a statewide disaster declaration for the entire Great Lakes shoreline, which he hopes would be followed by a federal disaster declaration from President Trump.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
