LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Ruth Johnson this week voted to support a fiscal year 2022 state budget that increases investments in important priorities facing families and workers and helps build a healthy future for the people of Michigan.
“As a former secretary of state, I understand the need to offer walk-in services, and I am proud that this budget will ensure that these options are available to the people of Michigan,” said Johnson, R-Holly. “As we continue to recover, we must focus on education, job training, and public safety. These are critical to life now and for our future.”
Senate Bill 82 is the general omnibus budget and features a requirement for Secretary of State offices to offer in-person service options for the same day without an appointment, $40 million for the Going Pro program to support skilled-trades training, and $7.7 million to hire and train 50 new state police troopers.
“This budget prioritizes taxpayer dollars on supporting our families, communities and workers without increasing the burden on residents and struggling small businesses,” Johnson said. “Combined with the already signed K-12 school aid budget, this overall plan helps build for a bright future while meeting the needs of today. We’re helping people get back to work and ensuring their government works for them.”
The bill also includes:
• $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,
• A $500 million deposit in the state’s rainy-day fund, and
• A $150 million deposit in the unemployment trust fund to increase its solvency due to fraudulent benefit payments.
House Bill 4400 includes increases for community colleges and public universities and $86 million to reduce university MPSERS obligations — which would build on the $140 million in the previously signed K-12 budget to reduce school unfunded liabilities.
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