LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — A supplemental budget was approved Tuesday by the Michigan House of Representatives to restore more than $320 million in budget spending,
The budget includes money that will be allocated for the Pure Michigan tourism campaign, which will receive a total of $16 million. Officials say that the campaign was originally receiving around $37 million.
Previously, Governor Whitmer had line-item vetoed several areas receiving funding in her budget last fall. Funding for the Pure Michigan campaign was among those to be slashed.
In total, Whitmer vetoed nearly $1 billion in proposed Republican spending. $321 million have been restored for funds that were slashed.
However, the supplemental budget approved by the House is said to be the result of successfully finding a middle ground between Whitmer and the Republican-controlled House.
The newly-negotiated funds also makes provisions for coronavirus-related matters, the Going Pro job training program, and environmental issues relating to cleanup, erosion and high lake levels.
“This plan revives Going PRO, Pure Michigan and several other important initiatives that support jobs and improve our way of life,” State Rep. Greg Markkanen said.
Other State Representatives have also expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
“Pure Michigan, Going Pro, Michigan Reconnect, Centers for Independent Living…that’s a huge swath of anything and everything,” Rep. Mark Huizenga, R-Walker said of the funding.
“We put in there $5 million for the shoreline communities to help protect municipal assets,” Huizenga added. “When you think about roads that are being impacted by high waters, you think about certain assets, whether its a water or clean water treatment plant that could potentially be put in harms way, these are the kind of things that the state should step in and protect those assets.”
In regards to the Pure Michigan campaign, Rep. Rodney Wakeman, R-Saginaw Twp., is also weighing in.
“Pure Michigan is very important to a lot of people around the state, but also in particular to those of us in Saginaw County,” Wakeman said. “Frankenmuth is a year-in and year-out number one tourist destination for folks around the state, around the country, and having funds brought back into Pure Michigan is what the supplemental is doing.”
Wakeman added that, although it’s not the full original funding, this is a good start to work with.
