State spending plan headed to governor for final approval

Rep. Triston Cole today voted in favor of a new Michigan state budget investing more in roads and bridges, public health and safety and other essential services – without raising taxes.

Cole’s votes came as the Legislature completed its work on a new state budget for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1. Last week, Cole also voted to approve record-high investment in Michigan students as part of the same overall budget.

“These budgets direct more money to the areas that matter most to families in Northern Michigan, without a gas tax increase,” said Cole, of Mancelona. “We pushed state departments to find and free up more money for road and bridge repairs, public safety and rural health care.”

The Legislature’s budget places a priority on:

• Roads. Another $400 million is invested in road and bridge repairs, continuing the Legislature’s commitment to improving roads without tax increases or cuts to essential services. Michigan’s Department of Transportation budget will now top $5 billion directing more money to road repairs than ever before.
• Public health. Another $120 million is dedicated to protecting drinking water against PFAS, lead and other contaminants. Funding to prevent opioid abuse and provide substance abuse treatment increases by more than $30 million. A statewide mental health hotline is supported by an additional $2 million commitment.
• Rural health care. We’re reversing previous cuts made to rural hospitals to ensure people in every corner of the state have reliable access to the vital health services they need. Munson Healthcare Charlevoix will directly benefit from the restoration of this funding.
• Public safety. Eighty-six new Michigan State Police troopers will be trained. Statutory revenue sharing increases by 2.3 percent to help local governments maintain essential public services including police and fire departments.
• Economic growth. Investments continue and increase in programs such as Going Pro to train more workers for good-paying, high demand careers so they can support themselves and their families – continuing Michigan’s economic comeback. This builds upon the previously approved schools budget providing significant increases in career and technical education.

The schools budget approved last week includes a record $15.2 billion for Michigan students, increasing the foundation allowance by more than $300 million – up to $240 more per student. Additional support is provided for special education, early literacy, school safety and several other programs.

Gov. Whitmer declined to participate in budget negotiations after her demands for a 45-cent per gallon gas tax increase were rejected. The budget the Legislature is sending to her costs taxpayers significantly less than the plan she proposed in March.

“Many of these budgets were approved with bipartisan support,” Cole said. “It’s time for the governor to sign and finalize these budgets so that critical government services our residents rely on are not interrupted.

“The Governor’s red pen running out of ink for line item vetoes would be a positive for Michigan residents.”

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