LANSING, Mich. (June 30, 2023) — Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) issued the following statement after the Michigan Legislature passed the Fiscal Year 2024 budget, which includes historic investments in education and brings home nearly $100 million to Senate District 35.

This budget is a big win for our Great Lakes Bay Region. I’m thrilled about the substantial investments made into our community for education, infrastructure, and economic development. Whether you’re a student, worker, or retiree, or live in Bay, Midland, or Saginaw counties, you have more paths to thrive.

Our budget priorities were clear  improve everyday life across Michigan and provide children, working families, and businesses the opportunities to achieve their best. The state budget demonstrates our values and the kitchen table priorities we campaigned on. Whether it’s a household or state budget, it’s smart to plan for the futureThe deposits in the education stabilization fund and the state’s rainy day fund act as Michigan’s savings account for harder economic times.

After years of disinvestment, Michigan will fund education at the level our students and teachers deserve. Increased funding for preschool, special education, tutoring, and other personalized supports are crucial to ensure a strong learning foundation and a chance for all our students to succeed. Thbipartisan education budget provides significant funds for school safety and increases mental health resources and professionals in our schools.

I’m always working to put our region and Michigan in the best position to attract and maintain high-wage jobs. I can’t overstate how much the transformational projects, supported by almost $100 million of appropriations in this year’s budget, will help our district with talent development and recruitment for those better paying jobs.

Michigan’s Fiscal Year 2024 Budget is a bicameral, bipartisan investment into the people of Michigan. It contains multi-million-dollar appropriations for each of the 35th Senate District’s three counties. Individual items included within the nearly $100 million in targeted investments will be highlighted over the coming weeks.

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