Last week, with the input of communities and constituents, as well as organizations and residents from around the state, the Senate voted out the first round of budget bills. The budgets passed last week reflect the values that we were elected on- investing in public education, fixing our roads and bridges, ensuring we are protecting our environment and water resources, ensuring access to affordable and accessible healthcare, and providing our local communities with the resources they need to develop and thrive.
Below are brief summaries of the budgets that were passed out of the Senate, along with links to budget highlight documents if you are interested in taking a deeper dive.
Senate Budget SummariesEnvironment, Great Lakes and Energy
Substantial and new investments in our water infrastructure. The budget supports sewer and water development and stormwater management in our local communities. It assists locals with lead pipe replacement and dam safety and makes new investments in groundwater mapping and contaminated site removal.
>>Learn more here.Department of Transportation
Includes funding for critical infrastructure projects to help meet immediate needs in communities throughout the state, high-speed and regional transit, and additional funding for local roads. The local component does take away funding from Act 51, but instead provides funding over and above this act for local roads. It also includes one-time funding for critical rail grade separation.
>>Learn more here.Labor & Economic Opportunity/MI Economic Development Corporation
Supports Michigan businesses, including old, new and startups. It boosts talent and the next generation of innovation. The budget includes once-in-a-lifetime investments in transformational opportunities throughout the state (earmarks for SOAR, housing, placemaking, community revitalization, public infrastructure). It invests in the expansion of the Michigan Reconnect program (expands to 21 and over, instead of 25 and over). It also includes investments in the Michigan Partnership Initiative and EV infrastructure. It also ensures transparency and accountability of Michigan investments.
>>Learn more here.Department of Education
Ensures there is enough funding to continue child care subsidies at 200% of the federal poverty level, which is crucial for our economy and Michigan families. It also includes funding to conduct a study of Michigan’s educational system.
>>Learn more here.Pre-K-12
Part of a transformational effort to shift the educational landscape in Michigan. This budget includes the highest per-pupil allocation in Michigan’s history, it expands free breakfast and lunch to all students. It supports tutoring efforts through MI Kids Back on Track. It supports districts that have the most need by retiring debt. It includes a full foundation allowance for special education—a historic investment. It also includes additional at-risk funding. It shows support and respect for our educators by addressing salary issues and forgiving student loans.
>>Learn more here.Health and Human Services
- Funding to increase wages for direct care workers.
- Increases access and equity for Medicaid through expanded coverage of the children’s special health care program, establishment of a Medicaid recuperative care benefit, and increases reimbursement rates for specific Medicaid services.
- Supports Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies through a new unit by removing the 5-year waiting period for lawfully residing children and pregnant women, supporting Perinatal Quality Collaboratives, providing grants to Centering Pregnancy sites, strengthening hospital maternal health incentives, and re-establishing the Medicaid Family Planning benefit.
- Includes new programs and funding increases like increases for the Medicaid Hospital Reimbursement Rates for Level I and II Trauma Centers, Child Care Fund Reimbursement Rates, support for the state’s share of Essential Local Public Health Services, increases Child Welfare Family Maintenance Payments and increases the Food Bank Council’s MASS Program.
- Maintained funding for projects including Multicultural Integration Services, First Responder Mental Health and Safety Grants, Sickle Cell Center, and CCWIS modules.
- Includes new FY 24 one-time projects like a new FQHC Payment Model, a Permanent Supportive Housing Pilot, Unpaid Medical Debt Forgiveness, the ACCESS SUD Center, creation of Caregiver Resource Centers, operation of a Psych GME Program, Opioid Biomarker Testing, Mary Free Bed, and a deposit into the Jail Diversion Fund.
>>Learn more here.General Government
- Attorney General: Significant investment in prosecutorial capacity for local county prosecutors who are dealing with large dockets.
- Michigan Department of Civil Rights: There is a nearly 30% increase in funding to make sure that investments being made are sustainable.
- Michigan Department of State: Includes funding for FY23 and 24 for Proposal 1 and 2 implementation and a placeholder for continuing costs discussions.
- Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget: Helps with ITIF for cities, includes cyber security investments, and funding to help transfer Michigan’s fleet to EV.
- Treasury: Ensures that the presidential primary costs are funded and helps pay down unfunded state other post-employment benefits (OPEB) liabilities. It also includes 5% ongoing and 5% one time for revenue sharing and ensures that locals get their full revenue share while protecting a grant program for financially distressed communities.
Agriculture and Rural Development
Doubles support for Double Up Food Bucks, it invests in efforts to address PFAS contamination in farm fields, and doubles support to conservation districts. It invests in soil health and regenerative agriculture to help restore the health and soil of Michigan farmlands. It supports increased market access for small agriculture producers and supports minority food and agriculture producers.
>>Learn more here.Department of Natural Resources
The budget invests in our parks and water trails, expands the Michigan Civilian Conservation Corps program, increases funding to fight invasive species, and expands Michigan’s wildfire response capacity. It funds pay equity for conservation officers and invests in wetland restoration. Overall, it improves recreational opportunities for Michiganders and invests in water quality and resiliency through natural infrastructure, while increasing our ability to respond to emergency situations in our state.
>>Learn more here.Department of Corrections
Addresses a myriad of needs within the prison system. It supports changes to improve the working conditions for corrections officers to help with retention and attraction. It also ensures that when incarcerated people are released, they have the tools they need to reduce recidivism, which is a proven cost-saving measure.
>>Learn more here.Judiciary
Continues to address juvenile resentencing needs by providing additional funding and a new youth defense unit—a recommendation of the Juvenile Justice Task Force. It builds upon the efforts of the court system to become more efficient and just in their performance. It supports continued efforts to bring the case management system and our courts into the 21st century.
>>Learn more here.Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Provides more funding for Michigan Saves, which creates access to affordable clean energy improvements for homes and businesses in Michigan. It also increases funding for the Child Care Licensing Bureau, which will help increase the number of qualified child care facilities, provide access for working families, and promote child development. It also includes funding to build a reference lab for the Cannabis Regulatory Agency (CRA) and increases funding to expand equity and inclusivity in our CRA licensing space in Michigan.
>>Learn more here.Insurance and Financial Services
Ensures the proper support is provided for quality consumer services and protection. It helps bring Michigan to the 21st century in technology and provides important transparency and inclusivity language for all Michiganders.
>>Learn more here.Military and Veterans and State Police
Continues the commitment to Selfridge base with $11.5M investment and supports Michigan veterans and military servicemembers. The MSP budget includes positive funding proposals to promote public safety.
>>Learn more here.Next Steps
Negotiations will begin with our colleagues in the House to reach consensus on a full budget in the coming weeks.State Budget Links:
June Coffee Hours
WHEN: Monday, June 12, 2023, from 6 – 7 pmWHERE: Bath Township Library, 14051 Webster Rd, Bath Twp, MIWHEN: Monday June 23, 2023, from 8 – 9 amWHERE: Virtual, register here