Rep. Farhat seeks $24M in taxpayer-funded grants for district projects, auto show and a union program

Rep. Alabas Farhat, D-Dearborn, has requested $24 million in taxpayer funds for six grants to support projects and programs in or near his district.

The requests, part of the 2027 state budget process, would direct money to a mix of municipal projects, workforce programs, community health initiatives and high-profile events. But at least one observer of the state budget questions the wisdom of granting earmarked requests, which have totaled in the billions in recent years.

“Most local governments look within their own revenue to pay for their own municipal buildings,” James Hohman, fiscal policy director at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, told Michigan Capitol Confidential in an email. He added that most nonprofits don’t look to their local legislators when trying to raise funds.

“And state lawmakers ought to look to use state funds to promote the broader public interest,” he said.

Farhat requested $3 million for the Detroit Auto Show, which his office touts as an educational and workforce development event that draws national and international attention.

The auto show received an $8 million grant from taxpayers in 2024.

Two grants totaling $13 million would go to the city of Dearborn.

One request, for $8 million, would fund upgrades at police, fire, and emergency facilities, which Farhat’s office says are needed to improve emergency response and protect residents.

Another $5 million would go to renovate municipal buildings, including libraries and senior housing.

These expenses are typically shouldered by locally issued bonds and tax payments.

Other requests would extend grants to various private organizations in Farhat’s district.

The LIUNA Training of Michigan is seeking $2 million to build a new training center for construction workers. The Laborers International Union of North America, the national union, had more than $400 million in assets in 2024, according to its federally required LM-2 form.

Another grant request would send $2 million to Leaders Advancing and Helping Communities to fund mental and behavioral health programs, including substance use prevention, nutrition education, and counseling services for teens with autism and other conditions.

The Arab Community Center for Economic and Social Services, or ACCESS, would get $4 million from state taxpayers to renovate the ACCESS Innovation Center, consolidating classrooms, offices, and training space. The building was purchased last year. If the request were approved, the building would house classroom space for English as a Second Language classes, programs for the National Network for Arab American Communities, and research space for the Center for Arab Narratives, according to the request.

Farhat did not respond to an email seeking comment.