Budget includes highest per-pupil funding in state history, education, criminal justice and housing supports for families with lower incomes, universal emphasis on diversity and equity, bipartisan work programs, and significant protections to air, land and water
LANSING, Mich. (May 11, 2023) — Today, the Michigan Senate Democrats marked another major milestone in their new majority, passing a sound state budget full of transformative, innovative and equitable investments.
“As we have for the last five months, we are rising to the challenges facing our state and meeting this moment,” said Sen. Sarah Anthony, Senate Appropriations Chair and lead architect of the Senate’s budget. “With this budget, we are using our state’s solid revenues to build a budget for the people, rejecting the status quo in favor of equity and innovation.”
“This budget is more than a compilation of numbers on a page—it’s a representation of our commitment to addressing the real needs of the people of Michigan,” Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) said. “These bills detail smart investments informed by thousands of conversations we’ve had with constituents, small businesses, and community leaders. This budget is historic for all the right reasons, and I’m proud of the work Democrats have done to prioritize those who have long been ignored or left behind.”
Some highlights of the Senate budget include funding to:
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Support our kids and families as the future of our state, and the programs, services, teachers and schools they need to thrive.
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Increase per-pupil funding to the highest level in history.
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Make child care more accessible and affordable to assist working parents and improve development for kids around the state.
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Improve higher education opportunities and affordability.
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Protect and improve our air, land and water.
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Support small businesses, entrepreneurs and farmers, and encourage greater diversity and representation in all of our state’s important industries.
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Expand proven, bipartisan programs to create jobs and support workers, offer better wages and educational training opportunities.
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Address the needs of our veterans and public safety professionals.
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Ensure our justice system is more efficient and equitable, and offer greater opportunities for justice-involved individuals while they are incarcerated and when they return to our communities.
“The state budget is a values statement as well as a financial one, and our proposals bear that out,” Anthony added. “The Senate Democratic Majority will continue to put people at the forefront of all our budget and policy priorities, and we look forward to working with our House Democratic colleagues and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to deliver a fiscally-sound, people-centered state budget.”
Chair Anthony and Appropriations Subcommittee Chairs have been working for months to craft a well-rounded, thoughtful budget that benefits all residents across the entire state. This has included official and informal meetings impacted individuals and communities, stakeholders and their Republican colleagues. The proposed budget bills now head to the House for consideration and will continue to be negotiated with the House and governor’s office to reach final funding decisions.
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