Last week, the Michigan Legislature passed the Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Senate Bill 845 and House Bill 5783 encompassed funding for the School Aid Fund and General Fund.
I was proud to support a budget that includes a historic increase in per-pupil school funding, stipends for student teachers as they complete their programs, an increase in revenue sharing for local community services, additional resources for mental health services in schools, funds for workforce development programs, and much, much, more. In addition to these investments, I worked to secure more than $4 million for investments into Michigan’s mobility future.
Here are some of the highlights:
School Aid Fund
- Increase of 5.2% of per-pupil funding for schools, equating to an extra $450 per student, the highest per-pupil funding in Michigan’s history
- $350 million in scholarship training for students in private and public teacher prep programs
- Including a $50 million stipend for student teachers as they complete their student teaching program and requirements
- $300 million for mental health and well-being programs in schools
- $1.92 billion for special education resources and programs
- 5% increase in funding, equating to $16 million for community college operation costs
- $56 million in scholarships and funding to provide grants to eligible community college students completing an associate degree in nursing to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing
- $250 million for the Postsecondary Scholarship Fund
- $55 million for the Michigan Reconnect Program
- A 2-5% increase in university funding, equating to $55 million between all Michigan Universities.
General Fund
- $750 million in municipal retirement pension aid
- 1% one-time increase to a continued 5% ongoing revenue sharing fund
- $12 million in assistance for local rail projects
- $75 million in unemployment insurance assistance
- $45 million in lead line replacement projects
- $110 million in workforce development programs
- $10 million to address talent retention concerns
- $50 million in assistance for local nonprofits providing much needed support for our communities
- $75 million for community financial development institution grants
IN-DISTRICT AND OAKLAND COUNTY HIGHLIGHTS
In addition to this historic $76.7 billion statewide budget, I secured more than $5 million in additional funding for specific projects in Senate District 13 and in Oakland County. This includes:
- $700,000 for HCAV improvements for Berkley’s municipal and community buildings. This funding will allow the city to purchase new state-of-the-art, energy efficient, and dependable HVAC systems. These new upgrades will better control temperatures, create comfortable work environments, and produce safer and cleaner air for city workers and residents.
- $1,000,000 for electric vehicle charging stations in Oakland County and across Michigan. By building our electric vehicle charging infrastructure, Michigan positions itself as a leader in electrification, continuing to be innovators in the automotive industry.
- $2,000,000 toward investment into Michigan’s Mobility Future. These funds will support a statewide effort to advance Michigan’s position in the everchanging mobility sphere.
- $2,000,000 for economic site validation in Oakland County. Places Oakland County in a position to combat any concerns from companies for locations that are not “site ready”.
