This week, President Obama released his budget recommendations for fiscal year 2016 and Detroit Free Press Washington reporter Todd Spangler says not much in it is for Michigan.
The President's proposed budget includes $4 trillion dollars for the upcoming fiscal year, but money to build the customs plaza for the New International Trade Crossing Bridge isn't in it.
According to Spangler the project would need around $250-300 million.
However, Spangler says the Canadian government has been quietly saying that a lack of funds on the U.S. side would not stop this project as the bridge is very important for them economically.
The President has also suggested decommissioning A-10s, 18 of which are flown at the base in Selfridge according to Spangler. This could eliminate many jobs if the planes not replaced with newer aircrafts. But Spangler says this proposal is doubtful to pass as it has little support from the Republican Congress, including the disapproval of the current chair of the Armed Forces Committee Senator McCain.
The Great Lakes Restoration Fund would also be take a cut from $300 million to $250 million according to Spangler.
While the budget as it currently stands doesn't fully support these Michigan projects, Spangler says that could all change. He predicts that few of the large items, such as Obama's proposal of free two year tuition for community college, will make it through the Republican Congress.
