LANSING – House Democrats today passed the Michigan Future Plan that secures investment in local police and fire protection, the Michigan Promise Scholarship, and health care for kids and seniors – programs that are critical to protecting Michigan's future and turning our economy around.
"Police officers and firefighters protect our neighborhoods, our property and our lives," said House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.). "We have to ensure that public safety remains a top priority. No business wants to locate in a state that allows criminals to take over its cities or doesn't have the manpower to respond to fires. To keep our residents safe and to grow our economy, we must protect the jobs of those who protect us."
All money raised into the Michigan Future Fund would be dedicated exclusively for police and fire protection, Promise Scholarships, health care and libraries.
State money that local governments use to pay for local police and fire protection has already been slashed by more than $500 million this decade, causing Michigan communities to lose more than 4,000 firefighters and police officers since 2001.
The Michigan Future Plan:
- Restores local police and fire protection;
- Safeguards Promise Scholarships;
- Provides health care for kids and seniors; and
- Protects Michigan libraries.
Nearly 100,000 Michigan students who rely on the $4,000 Promise Scholarship to attend community college, a university or vocational training have already been promised part of that tuition money for the current school year.
"In order to create good-paying jobs, we must have a highly educated workforce," said House Majority Leader Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee). "Promise Scholarships open the doors to higher education for a whole generation of kids who have worked hard for the chance to compete for 21st century jobs. If we want a strong middle class that will attract emerging industries, then we must provide our young people with access to an affordable college education."
Funding for the Michigan Future Plan comes from reducing special tax exemptions for corporations and maintaining the personal income tax exemptions at current year levels.
"There are some sacrifices the people of Michigan should not be asked to make – health care for kids and seniors, college education for the next generation of workers, and police and fire protection that keep our families safe," said Rep. Tim Melton (D-Pontiac). "The Michigan Future Plan protects these essential priorities and helps position our state for a turnaround."