LANSING, Mich. (July 1, 2022) — Today, Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) issued the following statement after the passage of the Fiscal Year 2023 budget, set to start on Oct. 1:

“Today the Senate has agreed on a bipartisan budget that reflects many of the budget priorities of residents and stakeholders in Kalamazoo County.”

Among the included budget items that Sen. McCann fought for, and that will benefit residents of the 20th Senate District, are:

  • $300 million for the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement Service, from which Western Michigan University stands to benefit.
  • $295 million for school staff recruitment and retention.
  • $75 million for blight abatement.
  • $3 million for the Michigan Geological Survey.
  • $1.1 million for a fire apparatus for Portage to replace outdated equipment and improve public safety.
  • $1 million for construction of owner-occupied housing units in the Northside Neighborhood of Kalamazoo and to support career training courses offered at the Northside Association for Community Development.

“I am particularly pleased to have championed funding for the construction of new, owner-occupied housing on the Northside of Kalamazoo and to expand career training services offered at the Northside Association for Community Development,” Sen. McCann added. “I have consistently heard from constituents that we need more quality, affordable housing in our community. I hear from employers that they are struggling to find applicants with the credentials to fill their open positions. I am proud to be able to bring home funding that will directly, and positively, address these critical issues in our community.”

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