Governor Rick Snyder and state lawmakers just got a windfall of $315 million to spend in the new state budget. It’s the result of better-than-expected economic growth that yielded more tax revenue.
“I’m really happy we have more money to play with," said State Rep. Laura Cox, R-Livonia, chair of the state House Appropriations Committee. "We can focus on some infrastructure dollars. We need some money for school safety. We also want to focus on debt reduction. So, I think when the heads all get together in the room, and we kind of iron things out, it’s going to be a pretty good plan.”
Cox's counterpart in the Senate, David Hildenbrand, L-Lowell, says Republicans will look into paying down debt, and putting money into the state’s “rainy day” savings.
“And then investing in a few key priorities," he added. "A couple that come to mind right away are roads and infrastructure, put more money into those efforts. And then school safety.”
Governor Rick Snyder and House and Senate budget leaders are supposed to sit down soon to finalize details of the new budget. They hope to have their work wrapped up in early June.
