Detroit Today: Michigan’s new $82B budget reveals the state’s priorities
Michigan Democrats are prioritizing education, health and public infrastructure projects in the state’s latest budget.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer delivers her State of the State address to a joint session of the House and Senate, Jan. 25, 2023, at the state Capitol in Lansing, Mich.
“Show me your budget, and I’ll tell you what you value,” is a line President Joe Biden and other representatives like to say.
Last week, the first Democratic-majority Michigan Legislature in roughly four decades revealed next fiscal year’s budget — a record $82 billion.
The contents of the new budget show what Michigan lawmakers are prioritizing, or their values.
Journalists Alethia Kasben and Lauren Gibbons, Michigan Rep. John Roth (R) and Monique Stanton from the Michigan League for Public Policy joined Detroit Today to discuss the state’s new budget headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk.
Listen: Values animating Michigan’s latest state budget
Guests
Alethia Kasben is the managing editor at Gongwer News Service Michigan. She says much of the money appropriated in the budget were one-time funds.
“I think lawmakers are trying to say, ‘Here, this is what you get for this project, and that’s it. This isn’t an ongoing new program. This is one-time money for you to make this transformational change in your city or your organization,'” says Kasben.
Lauren Gibbons is a reporter covering Michigan politics for Bridge Michigan. She says the budget uses a lot of surpluses it received from federal COVID relief funds.
“It is a massive budget,” says Gibbons.
Republican State Rep. John Roth represents 104th district. His district is part of northern Michigan, including Traverse City. He says half the line items in the budget he supported, and the other half he couldn’t support.
“I’m a little concerned also with some of the programs that aren’t one-time — like free lunch and breakfast. Not that low-income areas shouldn’t get that,” he says.
Monique Stanton is the President and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy. She says her organization is really excited about the investments in education, which should cut into state poverty levels.
“We’re making huge investments, recognizing that this is just a start, and we can continue to build off of that in future years,” says Stanton.
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