Legislature Passes State Budget

Liz Gullett

Jul 01, 2022

Early this morning, the House and Senate voted to approve of a massive $76 billion state budget for the upcoming 2023 Fiscal year, beginning on October 1. Prior to passage, the legislative leaders, along with Governor Gretchen Whitmer and State Budget Director Chris Harkins, issued joint statements on the budget deal. Aspects within the budget including funding to bring the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund to its highest level of nearly $1.6 billion, the highest per-pupil funding at $9,150, and $110 million for the Michigan Reconnect and Going Pro programs.

Additional aspects within the state budget includes:

- A 5% increase for university and community college operations
- $250 million for a new student scholarship fund
- $2.3 billion to help fix local roads and bridges
- $1.7 billion to fix state highway roadways and bridges
- $295 million to address student mental health
- $168 million in school safety grants
- $750 million to help local governments meet their pension obligations
- Funding for the newly created Office of Rural Development
- Funding for a new “Buy-Michigan” campaign to support Michigan grown and raised products
- A new statewide judicial case management system to reduce local court costs and improve data management and court operations

Despite the increased appropriations, there remains $7 billion in unspent funds. The budgets will be sent to Governor Whitmer for her consideration.

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