Rep. Gina Johnsen Doubles Down on Public Safety and Infrastructure Funding – Michigan House Republicans

Report on Proposed Infrastructure and Public Safety Investments in Michigan’s 78th House District and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

This report outlines three proposed capital investments in Michigan’s 78th House District, as advocated by State Representative Gina Johnsen. The proposals focus on critical public safety and infrastructure upgrades. A significant analysis is provided on how these projects directly support and advance several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Overview of Proposed Investments

The funding requests presented before the House Appropriations Subcommittee total $30.54 million and are allocated for three distinct, community-led projects:

• Barry County Public Safety Facility: $10 million for the construction of a new jail and sheriff’s office.
• Ionia County Emergency Radio System: $18 million for a comprehensive expansion and upgrade.
• Woodland Township Bridge Replacement: $2.54 million to replace the Brown Road bridge over the Little Thornapple River.

Project Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

The proposals strongly align with SDG 9, which aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation. The projects represent a direct investment in developing quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure to support economic development and human well-being.

• The bridge replacement directly addresses the need for safe and resilient rural infrastructure (Target 9.1), improving transportation and preventing economic disruption from infrastructure failure.
• The emergency radio system expansion enhances regional communication infrastructure, a critical component for public safety and disaster response.
• The new public safety facility constitutes an upgrade to essential public infrastructure, ensuring its long-term functionality and resilience.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The initiatives are central to achieving SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The emphasis on rural communities ensures equitable development.

• Enhancing Safety and Resilience: The new public safety facility and upgraded radio system directly contribute to community safety and enhance the capacity for disaster preparedness and response (Target 11.5).
• Safe and Sustainable Transport: Replacing a failing bridge improves road safety for all users, aligning with the goal of providing access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems (Target 11.2).
• Environmental Health: The bridge project’s goal to restore the environmental health of the river corridor supports the protection of local ecosystems within community planning (Target 11.4).

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

These projects are fundamental to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at the local level, a core objective of SDG 16.

• The construction of a modern public safety facility to replace an aging jail and sheriff’s office strengthens local justice and law enforcement institutions, improving security and operational effectiveness (Target 16.6).
• An effective emergency radio system is a cornerstone of a responsive and reliable public institution (first responders), ensuring they can protect and serve the community effectively.

Detailed Project Justification and SDG Impact

1. Barry County Public Safety Facility

   Funding Request: $10 million

   Justification: The current facility is aging, posing risks to security and staff safety. A modern facility is required to improve security, safety, and overall emergency preparedness for the county.

   Primary SDG Impact: This project directly supports SDG 16 by modernizing a key public institution and SDG 11 by enhancing community safety and resilience.

2. Ionia County Emergency Radio System Expansion

   Funding Request: $18 million

   Justification: Critical communication gaps exist in low-coverage areas, endangering first responders and compromising emergency response. The upgrade will ensure reliable communication for all emergency personnel.

   Primary SDG Impact: This investment is critical for SDG 9 (resilient communication infrastructure), SDG 11 (community safety), and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by enabling rapid and effective emergency medical response.

3. Woodland Township Bridge Replacement

   Funding Request: $2.54 million

   Justification: The Brown Road bridge is failing, creating a hazard for drivers. The replacement is a shovel-ready project that will improve driver safety and restore the environmental health of the river corridor.

   Primary SDG Impact: This project advances SDG 9 by building resilient infrastructure, SDG 11 by ensuring safe transport systems, and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) through its commitment to restoring the water-related ecosystem.

Conclusion

The proposed investments for the 78th House District are community-driven initiatives designed to address urgent needs in public safety and infrastructure. Their implementation will not only serve the immediate needs of local residents but also make a measurable contribution to achieving global Sustainable Development Goals, fostering safer, more resilient, and sustainable rural communities in Michigan.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all.
   • The article explicitly discusses funding for infrastructure projects aimed at improving public well-being. The push for “$2.54 million to replace a failing bridge over the Little Thornapple River” directly addresses the need for reliable and safe infrastructure. The statement that “The people of my district deserve safe roads” further reinforces this connection. The projects are described as “built to last,” which aligns with the sustainability and resilience aspect of the target.
2. Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters… with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations.
   • The advocacy for “$18 million to expand Ionia County’s emergency radio system” is a direct measure to improve community resilience and safety. The article states this would “fill critical communication gaps that currently endanger first responders in low-coverage areas,” which is a key component of disaster preparedness and response, thereby reducing the potential impact on people. The new Barry County facility is also intended to improve “emergency preparedness.”
3. Target 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning.
   • The article highlights a focus on investment in “rural communities” and ensuring that “rural Michigan receives the attention and investment it deserves.” The projects are described as “community-driven” and led by “local governments,” which points to strengthening regional development planning to support these rural areas.
4. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • The request for “$10 million for a new Barry County Public Safety Facility” aims to “replace an aging jail and sheriff’s office with a modern facility.” This investment is intended to create a more effective public safety institution by improving “security, staff safety, and emergency preparedness.” This directly contributes to developing more effective local government institutions.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Financial Investment as an Indicator:
   • The article provides specific monetary values for each proposed project, which serve as direct financial indicators of investment in infrastructure and public institutions.
     • $10 million for the Barry County Public Safety Facility.
     • $18 million for the Ionia County emergency radio system.
     • $2.54 million for the bridge replacement in Woodland Township.
2. Project Completion as an Indicator:
   • The article implies that the completion of these “shovel-ready” projects would be a measure of progress.
     • The replacement of the “failing bridge” with a new one.
     • The replacement of the “aging jail and sheriff’s office” with a “modern facility.”
     • The expansion of the emergency radio system to eliminate “critical communication gaps.”
3. Improved Service and Safety as an Indicator:
   • The article implies qualitative indicators related to improved public services and safety.
     • Improved “driver safety” from the new bridge.
     • Improved “staff safety” and “security” at the new public safety facility.
     • Elimination of communication gaps that “endanger first responders.”
     • Restored “environmental health to the river corridor.”

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: gophouse.org