LANSING — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday proposed a $67 billion state budget for fiscal year 2022 she says would “keep Michigan on the road to recovery” from a global pandemic that led to unprecedented health, economic and educational challenges.
The Republican-led Legislature is sure to reject or modify some of the spending initiatives, but the proposal stands as a statement of priorities for the Democratic governor. She claimed it would help Michigan “build back better,” referencing a campaign pledge by President Joe Biden.
The Michigan plan would continue a pandemic pay increase for direct care workers, expand a college tuition program for frontline workers, help replace or repair local bridges, boost K-12 school spending and give districts more money to address learning losses associated with remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.