LANSING, Mich. (Sept. 22, 2021) — Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor) has issued the following statement on the Michigan Senate passing the Fiscal Year 2022 budget, which takes effect on Oct. 1:
“The Michigan Senate chose to prioritize Michigan’s children and working families, placing our state on a path toward true equity for health and social services. The last few years have brought pain, sadness, and loss to many Michigan families, and people across our state continue to struggle with important daily necessities like affordable childcare and health care. While this budget is only a first step in addressing these significant issues, I am proud to have supported this great achievement for all Michiganders.”
Among the appropriations in the budget, some key investments include:
- Growing the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies in-home visitation program for infants born with substance exposure.
- Hiring health care navigators to tackle racial health disparities and increase coverage.
- Expanding low- or no-cost childcare eligibility to 105,000 more kids, helping thousands of working parents return to work knowing that their children are safe and cared for.
- Increasing rates for childcare providers and boosting slots available for infants and toddlers, ensuring more Michiganders have the early, supportive interventions they need to succeed.
Totaling just under $70 billion through a combination of state and federal funds, the bipartisan budget agreement provides endless possibilities to renew and rebuild Michigan in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also provides revenue sharing increases to cities, villages and townships.
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