“This is a flagrant abuse of the taxpayers’ trust and resources…Peddling the idea that Planned Parenthood needs this infusion of cash under the guise of healthcare is an insult to every taxpayer in the county. Begging the taxpayer for resources in the midst of a midterm election in which they have already sent more than $50,000 to Jocelyn’s Benson’s campaign for governor and their national organization has committed $47 million to defeat Republicans is an absolute disgrace,” said Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan.
Lansing, MI. – On Thursday, August 13, 2026, the Oakland County Board of Commissioners will vote on a proposal to allocate up to $1.5 million in taxpayer monies to Planned Parenthood of Michigan. The proposal was introduced by Board Chair David T. Woodward (D-Royal Oak), who is already facing mounting pressure and the threat of a recall as allegations of misuse of taxpayer dollars for personal expenditures rise. Paula Thornton Greear, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Michigan, sat next to Woodward while she pushed for the funding allocation at the board’s August 5 Public Health and Safety Committee meeting.
“This is a flagrant abuse of the taxpayers’ trust and resources. The allocation of taxpayer money must meet the highest standard of review and oversight, which this clearly fails to do in a multitude of ways. The President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Michigan sitting shoulder-to-shoulder with Woodward at the committee meeting speaks for itself,” said Amber Roseboom, President, Right to Life of Michigan. “Peddling the idea that Planned Parenthood needs this infusion of cash under the guise of healthcare is an insult to every taxpayer in the county. Begging the taxpayer for resources in the midst of a midterm election in which they have already sent $50,000 to Jocelyn Benson’s campaign for governor and their national organization has committed $47 million to defeat Republicans is an absolute disgrace. We join local taxpayers in urging commissioners to reject this ill-conceived proposal.”
Oakland County is the second county to consider sending tax dollars to Planned Parenthood this election cycle. On July 1, 2026, the Washtenaw Board of Commissioners voted to give $500,000 in local taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood. On August 5, after public outcry, the Washtenaw commissioners tabled a proposal to place a millage on their November ballot that would have given another $1.3 million over the next three years to organizations that provide “reproductive and sexual health services.”
In July, Planned Parenthood announced they will spend $47 million to defeat Republicans in key states across the country, including Michigan. As the lead Democrat gubernatorial candidate, Jocelyn Benson has already received $50,000 in contributions from Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan. In 2024, they donated more than half a million dollars to a single federal super PAC. Last year, Planned Parenthood of Michigan President and CEO Paula Thornton Greear boasted an annual salary of $398,916, up from $320,476 in 2024.
Abortion access is not limited in Michigan. Proposal 3 of 2022 legalized abortion through all nine months of pregnancy for any reason. There is no lack of access to abortion, with providers dispersed throughout the state. The abortion pill now accounts for nearly 70% of abortions and is available in both clinics and through confidential mail order.
For more information:
Joe Toly, Director of Communications, (616) 532-2300, [email protected].