LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer is proposing an $80.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2025.
She unveiled the budget proposal to a joint session of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in Lansing yesterday, noting the state’s “fiscal house is strong.”
The budget is $1 billion less than the current budget and would spend $19 billion on school aid and have a general fund total of $14.3 billion.
It includes $700 million for the final part of the Rebuilding Michigan Plan, over $247 million for state and local roads, highways, and bridges, and $150 million to support local bridge and culvert improvements.
House Republican Leader Matt Hall (Richland Township) blasted the Governor’s budget proposal, saying, “Budgets are about priorities, but Gov. Whitmer’s disappointing budget proposal shows her priorities are out of step with the people of Michigan. Taxpayers want a high return on their investment. They don’t want new fool’s gold programs that feel good but don’t provide real value for their tax dollars.”
Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt (Porter Township) Wednesday sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and State Budget Director Jen Flood regarding concerns with the state’s budget and its impact on Michigan residents following the governor’s proposed budget presentation.
“What we saw from Gov. Whitmer today was more public relations talking points paid for by the $700 million income tax increase the Democrat majority demanded.”
Not all organizations in the state were critical, though. “In light of the fact the governor is proposing a smaller General Fund amount for FY25 than what was budgeted for FY24, this is a good budget recommendation from our perspective,” said Stephan W. Currie, executive director of the Michigan Association of Counties.
“We asked for increases in revenue sharing, funding for juvenile justice facilities and staff, Medicaid coverage for inmates, stormwater infrastructure funding and full funding for indigent defense obligations. On pretty much every point, we see good news in the governor’s proposals, headlined by a revenue sharing total of $281.82 million.”
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