The Michigan House of Representatives passed a budget that includes historic investments in the economy, child care and infrastructure.
“This bipartisan budget is a victory for working families and a victory for our U.P. communities,” said state Rep. Sara Cambensy (D-Marquette). “I am grateful that my top three district projects were also funded in the budget, totaling $9.4 million. I couldn’t get this done without the support of state Sen. Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City), who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, Marty Fitantti from Invest U.P., my U.P. legislative colleagues and House Appropriation Chairman, Thomas Albert (R-Lowell). When we stick together and work together, our constituents win.”
The three special projects included in the $9.4 million appropriation as enhancement grants include $250,000 for a new high-tech projector at the Shiras Planetarium that is part of the Marquette Area Public Schools, $6 million to upgrade infrastructure on County Road 407 in Luce County, paving the road from Deer Park to the Alger County line near Grand Marais, and $3.15 million for the new Beacon House in Marquette.
The $6 million project for Luce County was the third-largest enhancement grant awarded in this year’s budget and one of the largest grant amounts a Democrat secured in the minority party out of 175 total.
“Imagine what Washington could get done if both parties worked together more, like we do in Michigan,” Cambensy said. “When I listen to my constituents and what they want to see me do and what they expect from me, it’s to get stuff done. It’s to work with everyone. It’s bipartisanship in every shape and form. We accomplished that in this budget, and I’m proud of the wins the U.P. delegation brought home for the people we represent.”
State Sen. Wayne Schmidt joined his colleagues this week in voting to approve the fiscal year 2022 state budget.
“This budget highlights several of my priorities and does so without raising taxes. It funds the state’s most important needs and puts us on solid financial ground as we look toward the future,” said Schmidt, R-Traverse City. “These bills build on the record K-12 funding my colleagues and I approved earlier this summer and take us another major step toward our recovery from COVID-19.”
The Senate approved Senate Bill 82, which is a general omnibus budget that includes:
- $1.4 billion to lower rates and recruit more childcare workers;
- $190 million to repair or replace local bridges;
- $414.5 million to permanently increase wages for direct care workers;
- $40 million for the Going Pro program to support employee training;
- $55 million for the Michigan Reconnect program to provide tuition-free community college and training;
- $33 million to train new state police troopers and corrections officers;
- $14.5 million to local governments to remove PFAS from the water; and
- $19 million to repair or replace local dams.
The bill deposits $500 million in the state’s rainy-day fund and $150 million in the unemployment trust fund to help the fund recover from heavy caseloads and fraudulent benefit payments.
The budget also contains projects specific to northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.
Included is a number of bridge upgrades; funding for a new ambulance facility in St. Ignace; a new Steve Mariucci Family Beacon House in Marquette to support families during medical care; sewer upgrades in Mancelona to serve businesses and the community; funds for Great Lakes Central and Lake State Railway so our state can safely transport goods; funds to the Antrim County Road Commission to build infrastructure and connect Shanty Creek Resort and the surrounding communities; and improvements to Mackinac Island’s 300-year old coal dock so the island can continue to receive goods and function.
The Senate also approved House Bill 4400, which includes increases for community colleges and public universities and $86 million to reduce university MPSERS obligations — which would build on the $140 million in the already signed K-12 budget to reduce school unfunded liabilities.
“We’re still working on our state’s recovery, but we’re continuing to press forward and tackle issues one-by-one,” Schmidt said. “We’ve made record investments in schools, our economy, our workforce and our families, and most importantly, we did so without passing on an additional burden to taxpayers.”
SB 82 and HB 4400 now go to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her signature, which will complete the 2022 state budget if signed.
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