At a time when Michigan is facing unprecedented challenges, bureaucrats decided to spend $100,000 of taxpayer money on sponsoring the annual Port Huron-Mackinac Island yacht race.

While I understand tourism is important to Michigan’s economy, I believe Lansing should not be in the business of promoting yacht races when our state has the country’s worst economy with unemployment rates in many counties approaching 30 percent.

When asked by reporters to justify sponsoring a yacht race, a state spokesman told reporters: “People who race sailboats are high-income people. They’re the kind of people we want to attract.”

The idea that state government is using public funds to wine and dine is appalling when hard-working taxpayers are struggling to pay the bills and provide for their families.

Lansing bureaucrats may not think $100,000 is a lot of money, but I guarantee that local governments and school districts across Northern Michigan could find more effective ways to spend the money.

This latest example of reckless spending is yet another reason why the state’s checkbook should be put online for taxpayers to scrutinize and review every dime that is spent in their name.

I was in Mackinaw City on Saturday for the Cheboygan County Republican Party's Lincoln Day Dinner.

The Lincoln Day Dinner is the annual fund-raiser, and this year's event attracted a record-setting crowd with more than 170 local Republican activists, elected officials, supporters and candidates in attendance.

Among those present: Court of Appeals Chief Judge William Whitbeck, Congressmen Mike Rogers and Pete Hoekstra, former Court of Appeals Judge Bill Schuette, and State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop. Others there included State Senators Cameron Brown, Michelle McManus, and Tom George. It was a great evening, and special thanks goes to WMKT AM-1270 host Vic McCarty for serving as master of ceremonies.

It was a great event . . . I applaud the County Republicans for doing a tremendous job. I also thank them for the honor of delivering the pledge of allegiance.