LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Senate on Tuesday approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Roger Victory to enact a balanced fiscal year 2022 budget plan that addresses the realities facing Michigan families.
“We are taking the final steps to approve a state budget that meets the needs of Michigan families, businesses, and communities, while also improving our state and living within our means,” said Victory, R-Hudsonville, who chaired the conference committee for the general omnibus budget bill.
“In addition to ensuring that people can get back to work and reducing our debts, I am proud this budget will secure access to secretary of state in-person services, invests in new agricultural innovations, protect Lake Michigan Beachgoers, and rebuild our local roads and bridges.”
The Senate approved Senate Bill 82, which is a general omnibus budget that includes $3 million for Michigan’s Conservation Districts, $3.18 million for a new Farm Innovation Grant program to help solve on-farm problems, a requirement for Secretary of State offices to offer in-person service options for the same day without an appointment, $1.1 million to complete the Ottawa County Groundwater Initiative, and $200,000 for advanced warning systems for Grand Haven and Holland beaches to improve beach safety and reduce drownings.
SB 82 also features:
• $1.4 billion to lower rates and recruit more childcare workers,
• $190 million to repair or replace local bridges,
• $414.5 million to permanently increase wages for direct care workers,
• $40 million for the Going Pro program to support employee training,
• $40 million for the Pure Michigan tourism campaign,
• $33 million to train new state police troopers and corrections officers, and
• $3 million for Michigan Infrastructure Council to increase data collection and improve coordination for infrastructure projects across the state.
The plan also deposits $500 million in the state’s rainy-day fund and $150 million in the unemployment trust fund to increase its solvency due to fraudulent benefit payments.
“This is a solid, responsible budget that keeps the size of state government in check. It focuses on our state’s future by rebuilding our economy and helping hardworking families prosper again, after a year and a half of restrictions and shutdowns,” Victory said.
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Editor’s note: The above photograph is available by clicking on the image or by visiting https://www.senatorrogervictory.com/photos/.
Photo caption: Sen. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, chairs the conference committee for Senate Bill 82, the general omnibus budget bill for fiscal year 2022.