LANSING, Mich — Michigan lawmakers on Wednesday passed the state's FY 2023-2024 budget after Democrats were able to receive the Republican support needed for it to take immediate effect.
The $57 billion general budget provides funding for state departments, including over $6.5 billion for Transportation and $1 billion for the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. It also provides hundreds of millions in grants for public safety and infrastructure within communities. Some items will directly impact West Michigan.
One of the budget's largest public safety grants will provide $35 million to the Grand Rapids Fire Department.
"I was ecstatic," Grand Rapids Firefighters Local 366 President Joe Dubay said.
"I had told them that, you know, we would take 20, if we could just get 20," Dubay said. "And they did what good government should do, and they worked together."
The new funding, Grand Rapids Fire Chief Brad Brown said, will be put to building a new fire station, purchasing new equipment and hiring new personnel.
"This money will save lives, period," Brown said. "We're getting more people in the right places, morale has improved, the citizens should see better service. And frankly, they're going to see better looking fire stations in their community."
City Manager Mark Washington praised the public safety funding from the state.
"I am grateful to legislators for this significant investment in public safety and efforts to improve fire services in our growing City. Our firefighters do a terrific job serving our community and we can now confidentially move forward with developing plans for financing, designing and constructing new stations. I will be working with staff and the City Commission in the upcoming fiscal year to solidify these plans," Washington said in a statement to 13 ON YOUR SIDE.
One of the biggest areas receiving the most funding is Michigan's schools.
Over $24 billion will go toward education. That includes a $160 million program that will provide free breakfast and lunch for all public school students regardless of income.
Michigan teachers could receive monthly payments toward student loans under a $250 million proposal in the budget as the state looks for ways to address educator shortages. Teachers in at-risk districts could receive up to $450 per month.
Additionally, many state universities are also slated to see increases over last year's funding.
University funding in the budget includes over $16 million to Grand Valley State University. At an almost 20% increase from last year's funding to GVSU, it's the largest percent increase for any public university in the state.
"This is going to be one of our largest entering classes in our history," GVSU President Philomena Mantella said. "Our education is really drawing people into Michigan and staying in Michigan. So, my expectation was, of course, any good investor will support that kind of value. And they have, so I'm just really grateful."
State Sen. Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton), a former teacher who helped shape this year’s education budget, called it “truly historic” and said that Michigan is now "leading the nation" when it comes to helping our at risk students.
In West Michigan specifically, $150 million is being allocated to restart the Palisades nuclear power plant in Covert, Michigan. The Governor has said the facility is critical to the state's future economic development.
Despite objections, the budget received the six Republicans votes needed in the Senate for the budget to take immediate effect.
While the budget did have support from some Republicans including State Senator Mark Huizenga (R-Walker), he says it still misses the mark in many ways.
In a statement, he says he's disappointed the plan does not include real tax relief for families struggling with inflation, those most in need, or adequate funding for roads and bridges and that is something he will continue to fight for.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign the budget soon, which will take effect once the fiscal year starts on October 1.
►Make it easy to keep up to date with more stories like this. Download the 13 ON YOUR SIDE app now.
Have a news tip? Email news@13onyourside.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter. Subscribe to our YouTube channel.