State Rep. Bronna Kahle today voiced support for a series of proposals introduced by the House that would restore funding for critical state services, including a pilot program to boost care for Alzheimer’s patients and their families in Lenawee County. This program, along with nearly $1 billion worth of other priorities, was stripped from the state budget through line-item veto by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
When signing budget bills for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, Gov. Whitmer cut 147 line-items affecting a wide cross-section of Michigan residents, including students, seniors, veterans and at-risk populations. Among the 147 vetoes was a $400,000 line-item intended to bolster access to care for dementia patients in 10 counties, including Lenawee. The House-introduced plans, co-sponsored by Kahle, would restore funds for this program, along with nearly two dozen others.
“I was surprised and disappointed the governor rejected support for our seniors and loved ones battling Alzheimer’s—as well as support for students, children with autism, public schools, local communities and programs our most vulnerable residents rely on every day,” Kahle said. “I have been working hard for what matters most to our friends, neighbors and families and I am pleased to be part of the effort to reverse some of Gov. Whitmer’s vetoes.
The 23 supplemental proposals introduced during Tuesday’s House session would restore more than $250 million worth of cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, the Department of Veteran Affairs, Michigan State Police, Treasury, School Aid and higher education.