LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law the state’s first Democrat led budget in the past four decades on Monday, which came with a price tag of $81.7 billion dollars. 

“I think today’s budget is going to make a real difference … all across the state of Michigan. To make sure that we’ve got communities that we are proud to call home and attract talent and keep young people here.” Whitmer said during the bill signing ceremony. 

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Some of the most significant investments including $171.5 million went towards public safety grants and communities around the state, $212 million was appropriated to aid in residential energy efficiency,  $416 million to fixing roads and other public infrastructure, but one of the largest investments, $600 million, will go towards Michigan’s water infrastructure and protecting drinking water.

“The budget signed into law by Governor Whitmer today funds programs and services that benefit residents across the state and saves money for a rainy day,” said State Budget Director Christopher Harkins. “This budget builds on the Governor’s previous success of delivering targeted tax relief and delivers investments to improve the lives of the people of our great state.” 

Michigan’s Make it in Michigan Fund, will also be growing by $500 million this coming year after the budget’s passing. 

Others in the legislature, such as House Minority Leader Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) have criticized the budget for its size. 

“Michiganders want their hard-earned tax dollars invested to fix local roads, keep our neighborhoods and schools safe, and provide other essential public services, but Democrats are hiking taxes to go on a ridiculous spending spree while setting aside the people’s most urgent needs.” Hall said. “Democrats chose the partisan path to pick winners and losers — rewarding their political allies with pork projects and unsustainable programs. Meanwhile, our local roads and bridges will continue to crumble, our understaffed local police departments will struggle to protect our communities, and our students will keep falling behind. Michigan taxpayers will owe more to state coffers to pay for all the Democrats’ pork and pipe-dream programs.”

In addition to the new political party in majority, the budget breaks several other records including the largest investment in its K-12 school budget signed for the 2024 fiscal year allocating roughly $24 billion towards improving many facets of education in the state.