The Michigan Legislature has reportedly finished its work on the state’s 2020 budget, but before it has been formally sent to her, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has termed the plan, “A mess.”
State Sen. Kim LaSata says she has voted in support of the state’s fiscal year 2020 budget, which was approved today, ahead of the October 1st deadline.
LaSata says, “This is a good budget that makes significant funding increases to things Southwest Michigan families care about most, like schools, roads, public health and safety, and our natural resources.” The Bainbridge Township Republican Senator adds, “All of these increases were made responsibly, with funds the state already has — demonstrating there is no need for a big tax increase to fund our priorities.”
Close on the heels of the Senate announcement, Gov. Whitmer released the following statement regarding passage of a series of department budgets:
“These budgets are a mess. After taking time off for a two-month summer vacation and a weekend getaway on Mackinac Island, Republicans are playing more shell games with the state budget so they can buy a phony talking point that they’re spending ‘record money’ on roads. And now, with less than a week until the budget is due, they’re planning to leave town for break again without having transmitted a single budget to my office. The truth is, their transportation budget would only rebuild about 39 miles on the freeway and fix about four bridges in a state with over 1,000 bridges in poor condition.
“The Republican budget cuts will restrict people’s access to health care, threaten our public safety, and widen our skills gap. They’ll weaken our economy and make it harder for us to attract businesses and talent to our state. This backwards plan to cut funding from our departments to pay for roads is exactly how we got in this mess in the first place, and it won’t do a damn thing to actually solve the problem.
“Michiganders deserve better. It’s time for Republicans to stop playing games and put a real road funding solution on the table that keeps drivers safe, ensures our roads get fixed with the right materials and mix, and makes road repairs now so costs don’t keep going up over the long run.”
LaSata provided the following highlights of the budget passed today:
- $5.4 billion for transportation — an increase of more than $2 billion since FY 2010…
- $120 million in drinking water protections…
- $13.3 million for state and local efforts to respond to public health hazards…
- An increase in local government revenue sharing…
- Additional funding to train more state troopers and corrections officers…
LaSata notes that last week the Legislature finalized the school budget, “which invests more than $15.2 billion in K-12 education, and a foundation allowance boost of between $120 and $240 per pupil.” Other funds for education included $522 million to help at-risk students, a $21.5 million increase in career and technical education funding, and a $60 million increase for special education.
LaSata, who is Chair of the Senate’s Universities and Community Colleges Appropriations Subcommittee, noted the budget increase to community colleges and universities this year is modest, but it is a realistic budget based on available resources, noting, “Funding for higher education in this budget is not what we would prefer in an ideal situation, however and importantly, it is still an increase over the previous year’s budget.” LaSata adds, “That said, our priority of providing access to higher education is clear: we focused on funding scholarships that directly help students to lessen the burden of ever-increasing tuition costs. And at the end of the day, the higher education budget supports the mission of our community colleges and universities to produce successful graduates ready to meet the needs of employers and keep Michigan competitive.”
Some of the highlights of the Universities and Community Colleges budget include:
- Increased funding for public universities and community colleges…
- Investing over $32 million in the Michigan Competitive Scholarship program…
- Dedicating $38 million in Michigan Tuition Grants, or $3,000 per student…
- Over $93 million to reduce retirement obligations for our universities and community colleges…
- Fully funding the Indian Tuition Waiver program…
State Sen. Aric Nesbitt also voted to send the governor the balanced fiscal year 2020 budget that increases investments in key priorities while living within the state’s means, saying, “We approved a responsible budget that ensures Michigan lives within its means, provides record funding for roads and schools, and does not raise taxes on hardworking Michigan families.” The Lawton Republican adds, “We wish the governor would work with us in a collaborative manner to balance the budget and fund priorities, but unfortunately she is focused on massive tax increases on families, seniors and small businesses.”
LaSata concludes, “It is my hope that the governor signs this budget before the deadline to avoid an unnecessary government shutdown.”
The budget bills will be presented to the governor this week for her consideration.
