State Representative Bill G. Schuette on Thursday voted for a budget plan for the new fiscal year that brings critical funding to the region while dedicating landmark resources to local roads, students and public safety and reining in unsustainable government spending.

Schuette helped secure $10 million within the state budget agreement to protect residents, families and job providers in the city of Midland through flood reduction infrastructure and another $9.8 million for the Four Lakes Task Force as they continue efforts to repair dams that failed and led to catastrophic flooding across the area in 2020.

“With nearly $20 million in direct appropriations to two of the greatest infrastructure needs in the 95th District, this budget is a massive win for Mid-Michigan,” Schuette said. “I am proud to have worked to secure a budget that delivers value for the Michigander’s taxpayer dollars, provides record student funding and finally fixes our roads.

“This critical funding will help reduce the financial burden for property owners who had their lives turned upside down through no fault of their own. They should not be on the hook for repairing this infrastructure. The funding will also help the city of Midland implement advancing technology to mitigate risk and protect the community from future disasters.”

Main highlights of the plan include:

A landmark commitment to local infrastructure – The budget plan dedicates nearly $2 billion in ongoing funding to fix local roads. For many local road agencies, this investment will mean communities finally have the resources to repair potholes and repave roads workers and families use every day.

Prioritizing public safety – A new Public Safety and Violence Prevention Trust Fund that provides for $95 million this year and $50 million in ensuing years will help every Michigan family feel safer in their neighborhoods and communities. The funding will go to embattled communities to help address violent crime and provide communities and counties across the state with resources to upgrade equipment and vehicles, retain officers and prosecutors, and more.

Record funding for students – By establishing record per-pupil education funding at $10,050, the School Aid Fund budget follows through on House Republicans’ commitment to provide students and schools with resources they need to fund services and programs. The plan also provides $321 million for school safety and mental health funding after it was cut to just $28 million in last year’s budget.

Supporting federal efforts to cut taxes – The budget plan supports federal tax cuts for Michigan families and seniors at the state level so that hardworking people aren’t punished for putting in extra hours or enjoying the retirement they’ve earned. State taxes on tips, overtime pay and Social Security income would be eliminated under the plan.

The budget agreement eliminates over 2,000 “phantom” positions that exist within state government and are routinely funded but never filled, while requiring workforce occupancy rates at state buildings to be at 80 percent to ensure efficiency at the state level instead of empty office spaces.

“This budget reduces government spending by over $1.1 billion by trimming waste, fraud and abuse and still funds schools, local road repairs, enhanced public safety and other services for people in our communities,” Schuette said. “We’ve seen government spending grow significantly over the past few years. This budget agreement stresses efficiency, effectiveness and respect for tax dollars that are afforded to Lansing.”

The budget plan will now head to the governor.