Budget includes funding to protect individuals facing eviction, invest in community centers, improve public safety, reinvigorate historic Marygrove with new programming, support the Detroit Zoo, and more
LANSING, Mich. (July 10, 2023) — The Michigan Legislature recently passed the 2024 state budget, including some major investments secured by Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), Rep. Sharon MacDonell (D-Troy), Rep. Natalie Price (D-Berkley), Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit), and Rep. Regina Weiss (D-Oak Park) to support local residents and communities in Southeast Michigan. The budget bills were House Bill 4437, which includes funding for all state departments for 2024, and Senate Bill 173, which covers school funding for the upcoming school year. Both bills passed the Legislature with bipartisan support and were given immediate effect.
“This budget is a prime example of the new Democratic-led Legislature being responsive to the needs of residents in our districts and around the state, making investments that counter the bad fiscal decisions of the past, supporting the pressing needs of the present, and investing in our kids and communities toward a better future,” said Sen. McMorrow. “I am proud to help bring home substantial funds to create community hubs, make upgrades to community centers, and tackle other local needs that make our communities more connected and benefit all residents of all ages.”
$38.78M of budget funding was included for the following priorities for the Metro Detroit area:
- $10 million for the redevelopment of the Madame Cadillac building and Florent Gillet community room at Marygrove College to support a new degree program in coordination with the University of Michigan (Rep. Weiss and Sen. McMorrow);
- $6.5 million for Coleman A. Young Elementary School in Detroit Public Schools (Rep. Price and Sen. McMorrow);
- $5 million for the Area Agency on Aging 1-B in Oakland County for Silver Key In-Home Services to address the statewide waitlist for non-Medicaid home and community-based services and the statewide waitlist for home delivered meals (Rep. MacDonnell, Rep. Price, Rep. Scott, Rep. Weiss and Sen. McMorrow);
- $5 million for the Foreign Language Immersion and Cultural Studies School (FLICS) in Detroit Public Schools (Rep. Price and Sen. McMorrow);
- $3 million for improvements to the Detroit Zoo (Rep. Scott, Rep. Weiss and Sen. McMorrow);
- $2.5 million for Detroit residents to provide legal support for eviction proceedings (Rep. Scott, Rep. Weiss and Sen. McMorrow);
- $2 million for enhancements to Junior Achievement facilities in Grand Rapids and Detroit for the providing of financial literacy, career preparation or entrepreneurship skills to Michigan 21st-century learners (Rep. Scott, Rep. Weiss and Sen. McMorrow)
- $2 million for a community hub in Oak Park (Rep. Weiss, Rep. Price and Sen. McMorrow)
- $1.8 million for upgrades to the Pleasant Ridge Community Center (Rep. Scott and Sen. McMorrow);
- $500,000 for improvements to the Ferndale Recreation Center (Rep. Scott and Sen. McMorrow);
- $380,000 for enhancements to the Berkley Community Center (Rep. Price and Sen. McMorrow); and
- $100,000 for Huntington Woods to install a dedicated pedestrian crossing on Scotia at 11 Mile with traffic signals to allow for safer street crossings for students and residents (Rep. Weiss and Sen. McMorrow).
“At a time when Michigan’s population is aging, we have to support services that promote independence and wellbeing for our older citizens,” said Rep. MacDonell. “That means ensuring we have a well-trained senior care workforce, as well as resources that help people stay independent for as long as possible. Oakland County’s Area Agency on Aging 1-B does an incredible job at this mission, and I’m thrilled we have increased their budgets so they can help all of the seniors who need their assistance.”
“This is the first budget in 40 years crafted by a Democratic trifecta — it reflects Michigan’s values by making one of the largest investments in areas that will benefit all Michiganders. We worked hard to deliver a timely, responsible budget that ensures federal funding stays in Michigan instead of being sent back to Washington, D.C.,” said Rep. Scott. “I am extremely proud to have brought millions home to my constituents. These dollars equate to transformative investments that are going to bring positive change to today and for generations to come. What’s most important is that the changes on the horizon are what residents asked for. I’ve heard from our community members that they want investments that will improve their quality of life — well, I’ve brought millions in funds to do that and more and I’m just getting started.”
In addition to these specific enhancement grants, the state budget also included $35 million for community water systems for water affordability assistance (income-based and used towards water utility bills) to help residents in Metro Detroit around the state. Lawmakers secured $15 million for firefighter equipment grants to assist departments in Birmingham, Royal Oak and other communities.
“As an educator and a mom, I’m thrilled that we are investing more equitably in the infrastructure of our schools and community centers,” said Rep. Price. “Our kids need to feel safe and supported, and they can’t learn in crumbling buildings.”
The budget also included $2 million for the Making it Happen Foundation Entertainment Skilled Trades Program to fund a statewide leadership training series based on the foundation’s HEROES Tech award-winning skilled trades curriculum in music technology and digital media. The project will prepare students by providing targeted skills training and hands-on experience in a diverse array of technical skills in music and film production technology from industry professionals.
“These investments here at home and across our state show that this Legislature prioritizes investing in the things that matter the most — our infrastructure, our communities, and our kids,” said Rep. Weiss. “This budget will provide immediate support now and have a long-lasting impact on our future.”