Advocacy News – Aug. 10, 2023
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer officially signed her fifth state budget at the Wyandotte Fire Department July 31, authorizing a record $81.7 billion state budget. Easily the largest in Michigan’s history, this budget was $4.7 billion larger than the original budget the governor proposed in February of this year and effectively eliminates the multi-billion surplus that was largely the result of one-time federal dollars.
Known as the “Make it in Michigan” budget, there were several million dollars invested to support the business community for workforce and business development.
- Going PRO Talent Fund: $54.75 million, which offers direct reimbursement grants to employers to assist with training, developing and retaining current and newly hired employees.
- Digital Workforce Development: $4.9 million, which is a new program to connect prospective employees with employers, targeting intermediate schools and local business partners. The funding will support a digital platform and expansion of the existing program.
- Michigan Reconnect: $65.2 million, an increase of $10.2 million from the current year to expand this program to 21-year-olds. This is a last dollar scholarship that currently covers in-district community college tuition free for Michiganders 25 and older.
View the June recap of this budget with highlighted programming.
This budget will take effect Oct. 1, 2023, for the ensuing fiscal year, and was statutorily required to be passed by the legislature and presented to the Governor before July 1.
Although the budget process has been finalized for the upcoming fiscal year, the MI Chamber remains committed to promoting a responsible state budget that fosters economic growth while avoiding tax or fee hikes. The constrained state funding indicated on the balance sheet could pose a potential challenge in the upcoming budget cycle, given the uncertainty of future economic conditions.
For questions, contact Becky Burtka at bburtka@michamber.com.