State Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) speaks on the House floor at the Capitol Building in Lansing on June 11, 2024.
LANSING, Mich., Aug. 2, 2024 — The state budget for the 2025 fiscal year is now law. Democratic leaders crafted a budget focused on strategic, targeted investments that improve the lives of people and hometowns across Michigan without raising taxes. State Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) issued the following statement on investments for greater Kalamazoo:
“I am proud to have voted for a budget that makes smart investments for all Michiganders. Our Kalamazoo community is receiving funding for vital resources that allow our residents to live safely and thrive. I will continue to advocate for our hometown in the Legislature to ensure we have every necessary resource for our residents to live happy and healthy lives.”
Residents in the Kalamazoo area will specifically see the following major investments:
- $1 million for the Kalamazoo Township Police and Fire Station
- $750,000 for the Hispanic Community Center
- $3 million for Kalamazoo County disaster relief
- $1 million for the Ecumenical Senior Center
- $20 million for Rx Kids program for Kalamazoo, Detroit and Saginaw, which will provide direct financial assistance payments to income-qualified mothers to improve health outcomes for them and their babies
- $2.95 million for a statewide Electric Bicycle Incentive Program
- $5 million toward the development of mixed-income housing in Portage
- $750,000 for El Concilio toward its building project
- $200,000 for Western Michigan University’s Cold Case Program
- $350,000 to enhance broadband/internet connectivity for Kalamazoo Valley Community College’s campus
- $75 million in increased revenue sharing for cities, villages, townships and counties.
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