LANSING – House Democrats today passed several major pieces of the state budget for fiscal year 2009-2010, including programs designed to invest in education and promote job retraining programs for struggling Michigan residents. On Wednesday, House Dems voted to increase transparency in government and the budget process.
"We are facing tough economic times," said State Representative George Cushingberry Jr. (D-Detroit), Chair of House Appropriations Committee. "Michigan residents need help and they need jobs. House Democrats are focused on protecting our most vulnerable residents, creating jobs and getting Michigan's economy back on track."
The House Dems' budget plan for fiscal year 2009-2010 includes adding $97 million in stimulus funds to support workforce development, job creation and job retraining classes at community colleges. The budget plan also calls on Michigan's community colleges to not increase tuition for in-district students by more than a half percent above the inflation rate.
"Our community colleges are vital in getting displaced Michigan workers back on the job," said State Representative Fred Miller (D-Mount Clemens), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Community Colleges. "We must support our community colleges and other job-creation programs in order to attract good-paying jobs for our workers and prepare them for the jobs of the future."
In addition, the Democratic budgets passed today will protect per-pupil funding for Michigan's
K-12 schools, as well as funding for Michigan's Promise Grant scholarship program and financial aid to help more
students and their families afford a college education.
"By giving our educators and schools the resources they need to give our students a high quality education, we can ensure our students are prepared to compete for good-paying jobs in the 21st century global economy," said State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee for the Department of Education and School Aid.
State Representative Joan Bauer (D-Lansing), Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Higher Education added: "In today's economy, the days of walking out of high school and into a good-paying job are over. By investing in education, we are investing in the next generation of Michigan's workforce and helping to move our state forward."
In order to increase transparency in government spending, House Dems passed legislation that aims to shine a light on the way taxpayer dollars are spent. The plan creates an easy-to-use, publicly accessible Web site that details state spending. The Web site will include state expenditures broken down by department, wages being paid to state employees, state contracts, the executive budget and annual reports. Under the terms of the plan, the site must be up and running by Oct. 1, 2009.
"As we work to get Michigan and our economy back on the right track, our taxpayers have a right to know where their money is being spent," said State Representative Dan Scripps (D-Leland). "I'm pleased that my colleagues overwhelmingly supported this legislation that will encourage more accountability and transparency in government."