LANSING, Mich. — Sen. Ruth Johnson on Wednesday voted to support a fiscal year 2021 budget plan that increases investments in important priorities like K-12 education and public safety.
“I am pleased that we passed a responsible budget that funds critical services without increasing the burden on families struggling to make ends meet during this coronavirus pandemic,” said Johnson, R-Holly. “We are increasing per-pupil funding for all K-12 schools, including more resources for literacy and mental health. We’re also providing funds for equipment to protect our seniors in nursing homes from COVID-19.”
The state’s School Aid budget includes a $65 per student increase for all schools. It also includes an additional $66 million for growing schools, $37 million for student mental health support and $3 million more for early childhood literacy.
The overall budget passed by the Legislature includes $20 million to ensure nursing homes have adequate personal protective equipment to protect staff and residents. It also increases local revenue sharing to cities and townships and provides $7 million to help the Michigan State Police graduate at least 50 new state troopers to replace retiring officers.
It also invests $15 million in the Pure Michigan tourism campaign, deposits $35 million in the state’s rainy day fund, and fully funds the 2015 plan to help fix the state’s roads.
“In the wake of the historic impact on our budget from COVID-19, this budget does an outstanding job putting limited resources to smart use, which will improve our state and the lives of all Michigan families,” Johnson said.
The budget bills now head to the governor for consideration. Michigan’s 2021 fiscal year begins on Oct. 1.
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