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Whitmer Touts Surplus Budget Proposal at Detroit Chamber State of the State

What are Michigan’s budget values? 

For Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a few of the state’s top budgetary priorities include creating pathways for reliable infrastructure, fair taxes, providing resources for teachers, and more for the state already seeing an upswing financially. 

During a Detroit Regional Chamber’s State of the State: A Budget That Puts Michigan First discussion, Whitmer spoke during a virtual session on Monday, February 14 to the business community, providing a recap of her 2023 state budget proposal.  

“(These are) not just numbers on a ballot sheet,” Whitmer said, adding that it’s about focusing on people of the state. 

Whitmer initially presented the 2023 budget of $74.1 billion in proposed spending to lawmakers on Wednesday, February 9. Michigan currently has a good problem with a surplus on hand because of higher-than-expected tax revenue and federal COVID-19 aid.  

Whitmer also answered questions in a moderated discussion by Daniel J. Loepp is president and chief executive officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. 

“The governor has worked relentlessly at building a stronger Michigan and putting people first in unbelievable times,” Loepp said, adding that the “once in a lifetime pandemic” under Whitmer’s leadership allowed the state opportunities to flourish with a “wide range of improvements” ranging from a new automotive plant opening in Detroit in 30 years to more jobs being retained locally. 

Whitmer described the budget proposal, (targeted for the next fiscal year) as an “opportunity” the state has not had in decades and does not raise the state’s taxes while boosting its credit rating. 

“In fact, it gives us the opportunity to make our tax code more fair for seniors and working families,” Whitmer said, adding that she is “grateful” for the input and support that so many business leaders gave in developing this budget. “We worked closely together.” 

Part of the budget proposal is building off of Michigan’s new economic plan, rolled out last September during the Mackinaw Policy Conference. 

“It was business leaders. It was labor leaders. … it was Republicans and Democrats coming together,” Whitmer said. “And now Michigan’s got a much more competitive opportunity as we seek to get investment into our state that benefits every one of us. Budgets are about values, and this one I think is very clear.” 

Whitmer said that her top priority is growing the economy with momentum growing with a $7 billion surplus instead of a projected $3 billion deficit from the pandemic. 

“It’s a huge opportunity for us. We can tackle some of the biggest economic challenges. That our families, communities, and small businesses are facing,” she said. “One of the things I know about the people of Michigan. We are hardworking and I know we can make investments that directly address economic concerns like inflation,” she said.  

Some of Whitmer’s proposed budget highlights include

Education 

The budget recommendation incorporates a school aid budget that marks the biggest state education funding increase in more than 20 years—without raising taxes. 

 

Economic and Workforce Development 

The budget recommendation calls for funding centered on economic and workforce development, including: 

 

Infrastructure  

The budget recommendation calls for historic investments in Michigan’s infrastructure, including: 

Public Health  

The budget recommendation calls for funding centered on the health of Michigan families, including: 

Community Safety 

The budget recommendation calls for funding centered on safe communities, including: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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