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Rep. Green: State budget plan is a win for Huron, Tuscola County residents
RELEASE|September 22, 2021
Contact: Phil Green

State Rep. Phil Green, of Millington, today announced a series of wins for Huron and Tuscola counties included in the final state budget approved today by the Legislature.

Green said he was proud to vote for the plan that allows religious and medical exemptions for vaccinations and prevents the state from enforcing a vaccine mandate. The plan also prevents state funds from being used to create a vaccine database.

“This plan protects students, teachers and job providers from government overreach into private health decisions,” Green said. “Any vaccine mandates in workplaces or universities should have viable exceptions to protect the rights of Michigan residents.”

Language in the budget plan also requires enhanced reporting requirements for emergency orders issued by the administration. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will be required to develop reports related to emergency orders involving an epidemic issued during that fiscal year, and the report must include an explanation of the scope of the epidemic and a description of each area of the state that is determined to be threatened by the epidemic.

The legislator also celebrated state funding that will allow Walbro Corporation to bring additional jobs to the area.

Other significant funding measures include:

  • Fixing local roads: The Department of Transportation budget, mostly road funding, tops $5.2 billion. The plan shifts MDOT’s $195 million share of federal COVID relief transportation funds to local governments to repair local bridges – a far more effective and responsible method than the governor’s recent decisions to add to road-related debt. More money is allocated for dam safety and water pollution cleanup. Local communities will receive a 2-percent increase in revenue sharing to help provide essential services to residents.
  • Supporting families: Lack of affordable child care was one of the state’s biggest workplace issues before the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s an even bigger issue now as parents head back to the workplace after shutdowns. Efforts to make child care more affordable and accessible are supported with $1.4 billion in federal COVID relief funds. This will provide grants, increase the income eligibility threshold, and temporarily boost provider reimbursement rates.
  • Helping Michigan workers: The new state budget plan for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 invests heavily in workforce development, bringing the total investment to roughly $100 million. The funds will go to existing programs such as Going PRO, internship and apprentice programs. 
  • Promoting tourism: The Pure Michigan campaign promotes what’s best about our state. A $40 million investment in this coming year will focus on helping industries like tourism, hospitality and recreation that were hurt most by the governor’s economic shutdowns. 
  • Ensuring financial stability: Michigan’s budget stabilization fund dipped below $1 billion during the pandemic. The spending plan for the new state budget year includes a largest-ever $500 million deposit to replenish it and put the state in a stronger financial position moving forward, particularly in case of economic trouble.

The budget plan received overwhelming bipartisan support. It will now soon advance to the governor for her expected signature.

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