From the Associated Press — Michigan will make more kids eligible for child care subsidies, equip state troopers with body cameras and make permanent a pandemic wage hike for caregivers under the next state budget. The bipartisan spending plan also will boost payments for child care providers and enable them to give $1,000 bonuses to new or existing staff. Michigan’s savings account will grow by $500 million. As part of the deal, Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer agreed to a Republican-written provision to prevent the state and local governments from issuing coronavirus vaccine requirements that go beyond plans outlined by President Joe Biden. The governor’s office has released the following:
Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued the following statement after the legislature passed a bipartisan budget that puts Michiganders first and makes game-changing investments in families, communities, and small businesses. The governor plans to sign the bipartisan budget into law before Fiscal Year 2022 begins on October 1.
“Today, we came together to get things done for Michigan’s families, communities, and small businesses. I’ve always said that I will work with anyone who wants to put Michiganders first. I am grateful to the legislature for working with me to deliver real change that will make a difference in people’s lives.
“The budget delivers on the kitchen-table economic issues that matter most to Michiganders. It builds on three programs—Michigan Reconnect, Futures for Frontliners, and Going Pro—that help workers get the skills they need to earn a good-paying, in-demand job. The budget will also include funds to fix nearly 100 crumbling bridges across Michigan, including the iconic Miller Road Bridge next to the Ford factory in Dearborn. We were able to get funding to expand no- or low-cost child care to 105,000 additional children, so that parents can go back to the workplace knowing their children are in good hands. The budget also contains significant dollars to replace lead service lines in Benton Harbor and beyond, continue addressing PFAS, clean up contaminated sites, repair aging dams, and make buildings more energy efficient. And we also put $500 million into Michigan’s rainy day fund, which is the largest one-time deposit in state history. These dollars help ensure that Michigan is prepared for any future public health or economic crises.
“Today’s budget agreement proves that Michiganders elected a divided government, not a dysfunctional one. When we focus on tackling the big problems we face, we can make meaningful progress that improves people’s lives. As always, we will be conducting a thorough legal review of the legislation to ensure that all provisions in the budget are constitutional to take action to fix the pieces that aren’t. Now, with the budget out of the way, we can further collaborate to invest the billions in federal dollars we have received from the American Rescue Plan and the billions more we are expected to receive from the bipartisan infrastructure bill. I look forward to continuing to work with anyone, for everyone.”
