LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Work continues on finalizing the State of Michigan budget for next year, with a plan voted out of the State House this week.
Among some of the local highlights: Western Michigan University would receive nearly $13 million to help with retirement benefit obligations through the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System, freeing up resources for the university to use on other projects.
WMU would also receive another $12 million for the Michigan Geological Survey. The agency has been housed at WMU since 2011, utilizing the school’s history of geological research, education and data development. The agency will oversee data collection and mapping from new drilling projects that come from the budget plan.
Kalamazoo Valley Community College and Kellogg Community College would see funding increases of 9.8 percent and 4.1 percent, respectively, compared to current fiscal year funding. In addition, KVCC, Kellogg and other community colleges throughout Michigan would be able to access $10 million in one-time federal funding through the Community College Academic Catch-up Program to address learning loss stemming from COVID-19 shutdowns. The initiative will make grants available to support summer educational programs at community colleges for students entering college during the 2022-23 school year.
$13 million within the budget proposal, using federal COVID relief dollars through the state fiscal recovery fund, would be used to redevelop riverfront areas in downtown Battle Creek. The funding will go toward making the area look more natural, including removing remnants of industrial plants, an aging concrete channel and other structures, and additional needed makeovers.
The House K-12 plan includes a record-high school aid fund of nearly $20 billion, including a per-pupil foundation that is up $300 per student from the current year and more than $2,000 than from a decade ago. In addition, the budget includes more than $500 million for teacher recruitment/retention, $300 million in school safety initiatives, $210 million for special education cost reimbursements, $100 million for summer programs to help kids who have fallen behind academically catch up, and more resources for rural transportation.
Also included is $5 million for pediatric psychiatric care in Kalamazoo County, which will be allocated through an open application process.
The budget plans commit nearly $6.8 billion to Michigan’s roads, including a $750 million investment in the local roads and bridges connecting our driveways to highways.
The measures now move to the Senate for further consideration.
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