The Senate Appropriations General Government
Subcommittee reported, on a 3-1 party line vote, an approved budget of $4.42
billion for next year, which is a 2.4 percent increase. The Senate Subcommittee
made alterations and reductions to the Governor’s budget proposal, amounting in
total to $9.2 million less than proposed. According to the approved budget (Senate
Bill 194), economic development will receive fewer funds while counties
will see more due to the additional revenue sharing.
All of the reductions came from the General
Fund, with the greatest cut coming from the Strategic Fund to the tune of $25
million. Governor Snyder proposed reducing the film incentive from $50 million
to $25 million, which was approved. However, that $25 million will not be
retained within the Strategic Fund as Mr. Snyder had asked for and will be
removed entirely. In total, the Strategic Fund will be budgeted for just over
$1 billion.
The Senate Subcommittee did add funds to
revenue sharing, which is housed in the Treasury Department, and will receive a
total of $1.14 billion. Counties will see a 4.8 percent increase in funding due
to the cut from the Strategic Fund. The increase will be provided by the
allocation of additional General Funds to revenue sharing, the County Incentive
Program, and the Economic Vitality Incentive Program.
The Subcommittee did provide another $1.2
million General Funds to the Office of the Auditor General to hire 15
information technology auditors.