Rep. Graham Filler today voted in favor of a new Michigan state budget investing more in roads and bridges, public health and safety and strengthening communities – without raising taxes.

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

“The state budget should reflect the priorities of Michigan families,” said Filler, of DeWitt. “I’ve heard from people all throughout Clinton and Gratiot counties. They want greater investments in roads, public health and safety. What they don’t want is a massive gas tax increase. We took a hard look at state government spending to find savings and efficiencies so we could invest more in the things that matter most.”

The Legislature’s budget places a priority on:

• 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 top $5 billion and provide more money for road repairs than ever before.
• Public health. Another $120 million is dedicated to protect 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 a $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. Sparrow Clinton Hospital 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.
• Problem-solving courts. Data continues to show that problem-solving courts produce substantial savings for taxpayers by significantly decreasing the number of people who reoffend. We intend to continue this trend by increasing funding for drug treatment courts, mental health courts and veterans’ treatment courts.
• Community colleges and universities. We maintain funding for Michigan’s public universities and community colleges. Our plan also includes strong incentives for universities to keep tuition affordable for Michigan families. Keeping tuition increases at or below 4.4 percent helps expand educational opportunities while preserving family budgets.
• 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 new budget also makes a $4 million investment in the Food & Agriculture Investment Grant program supporting innovation and job creation.

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.

“I have no interest in a government shutdown that would devastate the state workers in our community,” Filler said. “This is a good budget. The governor ought to do the right thing and sign it into law.”