State Rep. Sarah Lightner of Springport today helped end the budget stalemate by voting to restore funding to essential public services such as public safety, health care and education.

The plan will soon be sent to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her consideration.

“I am glad the Legislature and governor are coming together to put this budget impasse behind us and ensure people will have the essential public services they rely on every day,” Lightner said after voting to restore funding vetoed by Gov. Whitmer earlier this year. “I am hopeful this is a sign of productive and positive things to come as we move Michigan forward.”

Lightner personally led efforts to restore what’s known as “payment in lieu of taxes” from the state to local communities. These payments replace revenue lost on tax-exempt land owned by the state, including public-owned property controlled by the Department of Natural Resources. The plan approved by the Legislature provides more than $27 million statewide in PILT payments – including money relied upon in Jackson, Eaton and Lenawee counties.

The plan headed to the governor also:

• Restores $13 million that county sheriffs use to hire deputies to patrol secondary and rural roads. Last year, Jackson County received $182,970, Eaton County received $103,550 and Lenawee County received $115,995 – and each area was in line to receive even more this year.
• Restores nearly $15 million the governor vetoed from the county jail reimbursement fund. The money is paid to local counties in exchange for agreeing to house people in the county jail who normally would be sent to state prisons.
• Restores $4 million for the County Veteran Services Fund that helps connect veterans to the services they need in their local communities.
• Restores $750,000 for the Andy’s Angels program in Jackson County. This non-profit treatment program provides counseling and services for those batting opioid addiction and other substance abuse issues. This funding, in particular, is for a planned transitional housing facility for those trying to overcome their addiction.
• Restores more than $4 million statewide that helps counties cover indirect costs associated with helping children in foster care and the juvenile justice systems. Eliminating these resources will make it much harder to provide services for some of our most vulnerable children.
• Restores money the governor eliminated to support children with autism – including more than $1 million from systems designed to help families find services.
• Restores funding to help people living with Alzheimer’s, supports rural hospitals and benefits many other health care initiatives.

The plan also restores funding for Michigan’s farm stress program, school safety grants, and many other initiatives.

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