(The Center Square) – Michigan’s $82.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2025 passed in the House at 4 a.m. on Thursday following hours of debate over spending.
With a surplus this past year, the House Democratic majority focused on urban community projects, affordable housing, free community college and a new firearm injury grant. House Republicans argue the budget does not emphasize rural communities, infrastructure or small businesses enough, prioritizing instead corporate programming and liberal policies.
Perhaps the most controversial part of the budget is the millions planned to be spent on entertainment – $17 million on a zoo, $2 million on a boxing gym, $5 million on a theater, $18 million on sports complexes and $1 million avradio station in Detroit are just some of the projects prioritizing city tourism.
Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan said of the 200 enhancement grants, only 12 are north of Grand Rapids.
“We have a bridge [in my district] that’s literally at risk of failing and college kids with no place to live, yet Democrats would rather use taxpayer dollars on zoos and boxing clubs than do anything to support the people of rural Michigan,” Cavitt said. “They pushed through more than $400 million in special pet projects, but critical infrastructure updates weren’t important enough to make the cut.”
Within the education budget, Republicans criticized a $670 million reduction in the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System, and $130 million was dedicated toward expanding free preschool to every 4-year-old.
The budget continues to provide $200 million toward universally free breakfast and lunch for students, including $500,000 for food in the summer. A total of $300 million was cut in school safety and mental health resources, representing more than 90% of all school safety funding.
“Our kids are growing up in a world filled with danger. Students face physical dangers in schools and then go home to face virtual attacks on social media,” Rep. Donni Steele, R-Orion Township said. “Yet, Democrats disregarded the historic struggles our kids are dealing with and decided to strip mental health services and school resource officers anyway.”
The state plans to spend $30 million toward the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, which would provide guaranteed tuition coverage at community colleges.
The Labor and Economic Opportunity budget mentions $1 million toward attorneys for illegal immigrants, as well as $10 million in grants for minority-owned businesses. $3 million to establish a new Farm to Family program, which describes itself as focused on increasing diversity in agriculture.
The controversial Strategic Outreach Attraction Reserve fund continues with a $500 million investment next year, and an additional $100 million is earmarked to build affordable housing.
The state has now introduced $7.8 million in funding for a firearm injury and violence prevention grant program. Additionally, $161.5 million was included for new Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics.
While $150 million is targeted for the reopening the Palisades Nuclear Facility in southwestern Michigan, infrastructure investments are down by 33% compared to the FY2024 budget. Nevertheless, $25 million is included to be used toward drones, charging stations and electric bikes across the state.
