LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The Michigan legislature approved a record $81.7 billion proposed state budget for Fiscal Year 2024 on Wednesday night, and it is now headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk.
This budget marks the largest in state history.
“The Make it in Michigan budget will build a bright future for our state,” said Governor Whitmer. “It lowers costs on health care, preschool, meals for kids, higher education, housing, and workforce training. It will help us keep fixing the damn bridges, replacing lead pipes, and protecting public safety.”
While a handful of Republicans voted with Democrats to approve the budget, others called it reckless.
State Representative Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet) called it a “spending spree.” Rep. Brian BeGole (R-Corunna) said “…this budget plan is rolled together into a mess. It doesn’t do nearly enough to put money back directly into our communities and help hard-working people. It merely asks them to pull out the checkbook and fund pet projects on a big government wish list. That’s not a responsible way forward.”
In addition, $19.4 billion of the budget has been set aside for The School Aid Fund. Some of the highlights include $611 million to boost per-pupil funding by five percent. The total comes to $9,608 per student. Free breakfast and lunch are returning for all K-12 students regardless of income. The price tag for that program is $160 million. The funds also prop up the MI Future Educator Fellowship and set aside $328 million for mental health and school safety.
Electric vehicles, which can be argued is a pet project of Whitmer since she’s bringing three China-based companies to Michigan to build batteries for them, will also support $152 million in matching grants for districts switching current bus fleets to electric vehicles
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When it comes to Michigan’s colleges and workforce investments, the budget provides tuition-free associate degree or skills training to at least 350,000 Michiganders and a host of improvements to infrastructure.
Other programs of note are $140 million to boost wages for direct care workers and other staff assisting with home-based care and nursing home services.
Whitmer’s 2018 campaign promise to “Fix the Damn Roads” is continuing to be funded with $416 million.
Michigan’s water infrastructure will receive nearly $600 million. It includes designations for reopening the Palisades nuclear power plant and funding to improve Belle Isle State Park.
Whitmer’s new initiative “Make it in Michigan” will receive a $500 million annual deposit. The budget also deposits $200 million into the Budget Stabilization Fund (“Rainy Day Fund”) and boosts funding for the Department of Attorney General by $24.5 million.
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