DOWNRIVER, MI — Representatives Reggie Miller and Jaime Churches joined with Senator Darrin Camilleri to score once-in-a-generation investments in the Downriver area in the recently passed Make it in Michigan Budget signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Churches celebrated passage of the budget with a statement, “Not only are we making a monumental investment in the state of Michigan — we are bringing more than $53 million in funding for targeted projects to our Downriver community. I’m proud to have voted through a budget that seeks to address critical, ongoing issues but also promotes growth and innovation for the future of our communities,” said Churches.
State Representative Reggie Miller announced the following investments in District 31:
- $10 million for Denton Road bridge causeway replacement
- $1.8 million for Iron Belle Trail expansion
- $3.6 million for the Milan Wastewater Treatment Facility
- Over $38 million for school funding investments
“These projects will have a huge, multi-generational impact on the residents of my district and I’m proud that we delivered real results to these communities. I appreciate the support and coordination from Senator Darrin Camilleri and State Senator Jeff Irwin, the House and Senate Appropriations Chairs, along with Chris Matus from the Wayne County Executive’s Office, Van Buren Township Supervisor Kevin McNamara, and Milan Mayor Ed Kolar,” said Miller.
The Made in Michigan budget totals $81.7 billion. It includes a general fund total of $15.2 billion and a School Aid Fund total of $19.4 billion. The budget provides a significant amount of one-time funding while maintaining a structural balance in future years and does not utilize one-time funds for ongoing purposes. It makes investments to support the success of Michigan students and teachers, improve the state’s infrastructure, better the health of residents, protect natural resources, and expand opportunity for families, communities, and businesses.
“The Make it in Michigan budget will build a bright future for our state,” said Governor Whitmer. “It lowers costs on health care, preschool, meals for kids, higher education, housing, and workforce training. It will help us keep fixing the damn bridges, replacing lead pipes, and protecting public safety. And it will power ‘Make it in Michigan,’ our comprehensive vision for economic development so we can win more projects, invest in people, and revitalize places. I am so grateful to the new leadership in the legislature for getting this done. Let’s keep our foot on the accelerator.”
Some highlights of the budget include:
- $611 million to increase per-pupil funding by 5%, an additional $458 per student, for a total of $9,608 per pupil. Per-pupil funding is up 22% since the Governor took office.
- A 5% ongoing increase for university and community college operations.
- $112 million in Infrastructure, Technology, Equipment Maintenance, and Safety (ITEMS) funding to assist community colleges and universities improve existing facilities, infrastructure, technology, and campus security.
- $140 million to increase wages for direct care workers and other staff assisting those with disabilities and seniors who require home-based and nursing home services and supports.
- $171.5 million in public safety grants, benefitting communities across the state.
- $416 million to fix the damn roads and build up all kinds of public infrastructure, improving quality of life.
- $212 million for residential energy efficiency improvements through federal funds, lowering costs for Michiganders via point-of-sale rebates for home appliances, water heaters and more.
- Nearly $600 million for Michigan’s water infrastructure, protecting access to drinking water, replacing lead service lines, rebuild sewers, and more.
- $500 million annual deposit in the Make it in Michigan Fund, also known as the bipartisan Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund.
- Additionally, $26.7 million is included to provide a 5% increase (4% ongoing and another 1% ongoing to communities that obligate all available ARP) in statutory revenue sharing to help counties, cities, villages, and townships; and new dedicated statutory revenue sharing funds, 2% one-time, for public safety initiatives; plus, an additional $64 million over current year funding in constitutional revenue sharing payments.
Senator Camilleri announced more wins for Downriver as well, “We passed a state budget that invests in people and our communities. I was proud to be able to secure significant infrastructure and local grants for our communities. Though we didn’t get every ask, this is a huge win for our region. In collaboration with our state representatives and the Governor, Downriver and Western Wayne County are receiving over $70m in targeted investments. I look forward to announcing more of these projects over the weeks and months ahead.”
