Michigan Gov. Whitmer to sign $4.8 billion spending plan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) and Macomb County leaders celebrated the passage of a $4.8 billion spending plan.

They touted the plan as a bipartisan success that will benefit many Michigan residents. According to MLive, Whitmer intends to sign into law some supplemental spending bills mostly paid for by federal coronavirus relief funds and an infrastructure law passed by Congress the previous year.

The “Building Michigan Together Plan” will fund several projects including clean water infrastructure, storm and wastewater improvements, road repairs, high-speed internet expansion, and a big investment in state parks to rent and foreclosure assistance, public safety funding and unemployment insurance improvements.

The governor said the bills are due to months of “good faith negotiations” with legislative leaders. Whitmer said she hopes the “spirit of collaboration” starts conversations about the 2022-2023 fisca year budget.

“This is a fiscally responsible plan to make some of the largest investments in Michigan infrastructure in our history, building on the work that we have done to fix roads and upgrade pipes, replace dams and so much more. Together, we’re investing in every region of our state and delivering on the kitchen table issues that matter most to families.”

Whitmer also stated she would consider negotiating a pause on Michigan’s 6% sales tax on gasoline purchases. This would be an alternative to repealing the state’s 27 cent tax on gas. She said, “I haven’t described exactly what it looks like; I’m open to negotiating.” Michigan has the sixth highest gas tax in the United States at $0.641 per gallon, as of January 2022.