LANSING – House Majority Floor Leader Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) and State Representative Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today voted to pass a plan that will spread $2.1 billion of federal stimulus funds across 10 state departments to create jobs, revitalize Michigan's economy and strengthen services that the state offers to Michigan residents. The plan now heads to the Senate for approval.
"At a time when Michigan has been hit the hardest by the national recession, this plan provides much-needed relief to our state," Angerer said. "This is not only a lifeline for our state, but for our businesses, our workers and our families who are struggling to keep their heads above water and put food on the table. This investment in Michigan will lay the foundation we need to get our economy moving in the right direction."
The funding, which is provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will bolster Michigan's economy, create thousands of jobs, and support necessary services for residents in need.
The plan that passed the Michigan House today will provide:
- $962.6 million to the Department of Education, which will focus on handicapped preschool initiative grants, special education, assisting at-risk children and school improvements.
- $435 million to the Department of Human Services for weatherization programs, food assistance and other community assistance.
- $344 million to the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth to support energy efficiency programs, unemployment and employment services, and workforce training programs.
- $46.5 million to the Department of Community Health to support the crime victims fund, crime prevention programs and senior assistance.
"We have suffered like no other state during these tough economic times," Ebli said. "This plan will be the cornerstone of building strong communities, a stronger Michigan and getting our state on the road to economic recovery. By shoring up our economy now, we continue to focus on creating a healthy, sustainable economy that creates good-paying jobs for our workers."