Sen. Hertel continues his commitment to securing the future of Selfridge ANGB
LANSING, Mich. (April 16, 2024) — Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military, Veterans, State Police (MVSP) passed their budget proposals this morning, hitting their first significant milestone in the budget process. As Chair of the MVSP Appropriations Subcommittee, Sen. Hertel worked with his Senate colleagues on key budget proposals to bolster public safety, while also providing much-deserved support to Michigan veterans and military service members.
In Senate Bill 762, the appropriations bill for the Michigan Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), support for Selfridge Air National Guard Base remains a top priority. The proposed investment would help improve infrastructure at the Harrison Township base, positioning Michigan to compete for a next-generation fighter mission. This would build upon the $13 million Sen. Hertel successfully secured last year for Selfridge to expand and reroute their runway to better accommodate future aircraft missions.
“Selfridge is one of our community’s — and state’s — greatest assets,” said Sen. Hertel. “The base plays a significant role in keeping our nation safe and fuels economic growth in our region, employing more than 600 workers and adding $700 million to our local economy. As conversations on the final budget continue, securing the future of Selfridge will be a central focus of mine, and I stand committed to ensuring the Legislature provides the funding necessary for the base to remain at the forefront of our nation’s security efforts.”
The DMVA budget also includes a number of significant investments aimed at enhancing services and programs that cater to the needs of Michigan’s military community, including funding to:
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Support Michigan’s three veteran homes, including the Chesterfield Veteran Homes — the first and only location servicing the Metro Detroit area.
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Provide grants for nonprofits who provide or assist in providing housing for homeless veterans and their families.
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Support suicide prevention programs that help veterans and their families address the trauma related to military service.
Veterans have put their lives on the line to keep us safe here on the home front — it’s only right for us to have their backs and ensure they can access the benefits they deserve,” said Sen. Hertel. “This budget proposal allows our state to help tackle the issues facing service men and women, and I look forward to continuing to find ways to support our veterans and make Michigan a place they can call home.”
The subcommittee also passed Senate Bill 763, the proposed budget for the Michigan State Police (MSP), which includes funding to equip the agency with the resources necessary to build a modern police force, keeping residents and communities safe across the state. Among the priorities included in the MSP budget is funding to:
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Allow the MSP to graduate 50 troopers from the recruit school.
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Reduce violent crime by providing police departments with grants to recruit, train, integrate and retain licensed law enforcement officers.
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Provide law enforcement personnel with training to better communicate with hard-of-hearing Michiganders and limited English-speaking communities.
Whether you’re at home, grocery shopping, driving to work, or taking a walk in the park — every Michigander deserves to feel safe,” said Sen. Hertel. “Building on the investments made in our last state budget, the funding outlined in this proposal would help meet the evolving needs of our first responders and provide police officers with the tools they need to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our communities.”
While the full Senate Appropriations Committee, the Legislature and governor’s office work to finalize the budget, Sen. Hertel will continue advocating for state dollars to be used in targeted, meaningful ways that help keep Michiganders safe and protected.
