LANSING, Mich., June 29, 2023 — The Michigan House of Representatives passed the state’s fiscal 2023-24 budget yesterday. This is the first budget in 40 years crafted by a Democratic trifecta. It makes the largest investment in education in the state’s history, including free breakfast and lunch for every public school student and affordable pre-K, as well as substantial investments in workforce recruitment and retention, water infrastructure, and public safety. The legislators worked in a bipartisan fashion to deliver a timely, responsible budget that ensures federal funding stays in Michigan instead of being sent back to Washington, D.C. State Rep. Carrie A. Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor) issued the following statement applauding the budget:
“The pandemic, the youth mental health crisis and pollution have exacted steep tolls on the health and wellbeing of Michiganders. This budget addresses these challenges head-on by opening more behavioral health centers, supporting a wage increase for direct care workers and increasing the number of counselors and mental health professionals in schools. It protects our environment through increased funding for green energy and contaminated site cleanup. It invests in parks in the village of Brooklyn and Ann Arbor, pedestrian infrastructure in Grass Lake, and the Dexter Area Multigenerational Community Center to help residents stay active and enjoy the great outdoors. I’m proud to support this budget’s reinvestment in the health and wellbeing of the people of Michigan.”