Legislature takes action to reverse governor’s cuts

State Rep. Pauline Wendzel helped lead Michigan House votes to restore funding for charter schools, the secondary road patrol program, rural hospital and health care programs, the autism navigator program, payments in lieu of taxes to local governments, and several other important initiatives for the state budget year that began on Oct. 1.

“After one of the most contentious budget cycles that we’ve seen in a long time, I’m hopeful that the passage of this supplemental is a step towards ending gridlock in Lansing,” Wendzel said.  “People’s lives should never be used for political games, and I’m hopeful that Governor Whitmer now realizes that.” Wendzel continued, “I’m proud to have voted yet again for these critical programs that help hardworking and vulnerable Southwest Michigan residents.”

The House approved broad budget measures that restore much of the funding Gov. Whitmer eliminated in her failed quest to force an unnecessary 45-cent per gallon gas tax increase on Michigan drivers.

Rep. Wendzel’s efforts led to today’s House votes which included the following:

• Public safety. The House-approved measure reverses the governor’s $13 million in cuts to the program allowing sheriffs to hire patrols for secondary roads. The House also voted to restore $10 million Whitmer eliminated for school safety grants and funding for counties that hold state prisoners in their jails.
• The House again approved funding so public charter schools will get the same per-student funding increase planned for students in traditional K-12 public schools.
• Health care. The House plan restores $7.9 million for rural hospitals providing obstetrician care, $16.6 million for rural hospitals serving relatively high rates of Medicaid and low-income patients, $10.7 million to improve pediatric psychiatric services, roughly $1.5 million to help children with autism, and more than $1 million to fight opioid drug abuse.
• Rep. Wendzel also voted for $4 million to ensure military veterans can access services they’ve earned at the county level.

“This supplemental provides a second chance for everyone to come together, set things straight, and move our State forward” Wendzel said.

As part of the budget supplemental agreement, the House and Senate passed legislation that mandates the Legislature provide the Governor with the next year’s spending bill by July 1.  “For the last eight years, Michigan’s budgets have been responsible, balanced, and finished well-ahead of schedule,” Wendzel said.  “This good-government reform will ensure that there is more than enough time for the Legislature and Governor to negotiate through any lingering disagreements before critical services are impacted.”