SE Grand Rapids News

State Representative Gina Johnsen has voiced her opposition to a newly approved $82.5 billion state budget, citing concerns over its prioritization of projects she describes as non-essential at the expense of more critical needs for Michigan's families and children.

Johnsen criticized the budget for relying on tax increases that would affect families, seniors, and small businesses while diverting $670 million from teachers' retirement accounts. She also highlighted significant reductions in school safety funding.

"We’ve seen tragedy strike in our schools and we responded by investing in efforts to eliminate those risks moving forward," Johnsen stated. "The wise move would be to continue those investments proactively instead of waiting for another horrific event to ramp up funding for student safety and mental health again. I can’t support this budget that turns our backs on our kids."

The budget reduces school safety and mental health grant funding by over $300 million, leaving only $26.5 million available for resource officers, mental health services, and other essential programs in schools. Following the approval of the budget, Chandra Madafferi, President and CEO of the Michigan Education Association (MEA), called for reconsideration of these cuts.

"There were deep cuts to categorical funding for school safety and student mental health — cuts that will need to be navigated at the local level to keep our schools safe learning spaces for all students and employees," Madafferi said. "Our hope is that state lawmakers will return after the summer break to pass a supplemental budget that funds these critical student mental health and safety priorities."

Despite no increase in per-pupil funding—a departure from previous years—the budget includes allocations such as $7.5 million for a drone program, $3 million in e-bike purchase incentives, and $25 million towards building state-owned EV charging stations. Additionally, it designates $5 million towards organizing a celebration marking the U.S. semiquincentennial.

"Democrats continue to be completely clueless when it comes to prioritizing what really matters," Johnsen remarked. "This budget plan benefits very specific projects in targeted areas of the state rather than focusing on universal statewide necessities like infrastructure, safety, and essential services."

The new fiscal plan also encompasses last-minute additions amounting to hundreds of millions directed towards various projects including zoos in Lansing and Metro Detroit ($17 million), professional baseball stadiums ($2.5 million), a Detroit theater ($5 million), sports facilities ($18 million), a pool in Saginaw ($1.9 million), and public Wi-Fi coverage in downtown Detroit ($300,000).

A substantial portion—$500 million—is earmarked for the Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) fund intended for corporate incentives linked with economic development initiatives despite calls for enhanced transparency measures.

Despite objections raised by Johnsen among others, the state legislature passed the new fiscal year budget starting October 1 through two party-line votes early this morning.