MARQUETTE — Representative Jenn Hill (D – Marquette) has announced big wins in the recently signed budget for the Upper Peninsula. Hill highlighted some of the investments made in U.P. communities in recent Facebook post.
● $3 million to Baraga County for the construction of a new transportation maintenance facility and service center
● $3 million for the restoration of the Vista Theatre in Negaunee
● $1.8 million for the Republic Township dam and fish passage project
● $300,000 for improvement of the Iron Ore Heritage Trail in Chocolay Township
● $150,000 to Chocolay Township for the purchase of firefighting equipment
Representative Hill stated, “I’m proud of the budget my colleagues and I have produced. It prioritizes the U.P. and makes substantial investments in our communities. It provides direct financial assistance to Michigan families and supports a broad range of resources and services, bolstering everything from basic infrastructure to higher education and the arts. Its impact will be felt across the Central U.P. and I’m excited to share that several local projects will receive substantial funding.”
“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.”
“We have millions of dollars coming home to support the needs of our region, and we are on our way to reversing the state’s long history of disinvestment in northern communities,” Hill concluded.
The fiscal year 2024 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.
