LANSING, Mich. (March 24, 2022) — Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Beverly Hills) has issued the following statement after the Senate passed a supplemental budget bill package today that includes funding for necessary water infrastructure, broadband access, and housing:
“This budget is a great bipartisan step forward in helping communities throughout Michigan by investing in the areas that make our state a great place to live, work, raise a family, and retire. I am eager to see the positive effects these investments will have in our district and across the state.
“As folks continue to recover from a tumultuous few years, it’s vital that we, as a state, offer accessible, affordable, and stable housing for our residents, as well as access to high-speed internet for work and education. We have also realized we have a long way to go to ensure the Great Lakes State has updated water infrastructure, and all homes are connected to clean water.
“The investments in this supplemental will continue to propel Michigan into a brighter future, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with my colleagues across the aisle to keep this positive momentum of bettering our state going as we negotiate the allocation of remaining federal money.”
Key investments in housing, broadband, and water include:
- More than $1 billion in water, for both infrastructure and clean water initiatives.
- $712 million for a clean water grant and loan program, including assistance to protect public health and to fix failing septic systems.
- $500 million for rent and mortgage assistance.
- $322 million for emergency rental assistance to support low-income renters who have experienced significant financial hardship from the COVID pandemic.
- $100 million to help develop duplexes, townhouses, and other like housing options.
- $250 million to expand broadband access and connect more households and small businesses to fast, reliable high-speed internet.
After the governor signs this supplemental funding, there will be approximately $2.8 billion of the discretionary $6.5 billion of federal COVID relief money left over.
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