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State Representative Jay DeBoyer's proposal to enhance both state and national security was rejected by House Democrats. The amendment, which aimed to protect taxpayer dollars and provide clarity in the pursuit of economic opportunities, was offered as part of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) budget plan.

DeBoyer's amendment proposed stringent reporting requirements and clear benchmarks for funds from the State Opportunities and Accountability Reserve (SOAR) directed towards entities associated with "countries of concern" as identified by the U.S. Department of State.

The Gotion project was highlighted by DeBoyer as a key example necessitating this amendment. The project, which has received substantial state funding, plans to establish an electric vehicle battery plant near Big Rapids. This location is less than 90 miles from Camp Grayling, the largest National Guard training facility in the U.S., and just five miles from the Big Rapids National Guard Armory. Gotion was founded in China in 2006 and remains one-third Chinese-owned. Zhen Li, chairman and CEO of Gotion, is a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference National Committee – a high-ranking advisory body to the Chinese Communist Party.

"This situation lays out clearly the importance of safeguarding public funds and maintaining the public’s trust in the process," said DeBoyer, representing Clay Township. He emphasized that any project seeking funding should undergo a thorough examination to evaluate potential foreign affiliations for the safety and security of Michigan residents.

He expressed disappointment at his colleagues' decision: "Today, Democrats chose to pass a budget that lacks crucial security enhancements, abuses taxpayer money, and puts us at risk. It’s not the right approach going forward."

The proposed amendment would have mandated a report from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States among other metrics before approval can be granted for SOAR projects tied to countries of concern.

The LEO budget is contained within House Bill 5502, which has now been advanced to the Senate for further consideration.