Snyder Signs Fiscal 2015 Budget

With no significant changes House Bill 5313, the omnibus budget, was signed by Governor Rick Snyder. The budget allows for $8.59 billion in the General Fund and $37.38 billion gross. $194.8 million will go toward the Detroit bankruptcy plan, $46.6 million will be used for 25 conservation officers in the Department of Natural Resources as well as 31 motor carrier officers and 100 troopers in the Department of State Police. Another highlight in the budget is the $15.7 million going toward the expansion of the Healthy Kids Dental Program.

The Governor vetoed funds for two programs, one that would provide for a pedestrian crossing study and a second, which would be for a high-speed rail crossing pilot program. Mr. Snyder also deemed a variety of items unenforceable such as requiring the Department of Transportation to send bills to municipalities within two years of the final payment for their part in construction projects. Other measures declared unenforceable included the setting aside of $30,000 for the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children’s travel expenses as well as a provision requiring the reimbursement of lost livestock due to predators by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the requirement that the department keep purse money in escrow until a race track applies for a license when dealing with thoroughbred horses.

Democrats criticized the signing of the budget saying that some departments did not receive proper funding and that recent tax changes should have been reversed. The Governor caught criticism from Lon Johnson, Michigan Democratic Party chair, over the increase in funding to a group who helps faith-based organizations gain state funding based out of Pennsylvania. The group, Real Alternatives, also has a history of a pro-life stance on abortion.

posted by PAA Online , Thursday, July 3, 2014 10:36 AM
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