Watch CBS News

What To Know About Snyder's $54.9 Billion Budget Proposal

LANSING (AP) - Republican Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday proposed a $54.9 billion budget for the fiscal year set to begin in October, not including supplemental needs he detailed for the current fiscal year. The GOP-controlled Legislature will consider the legislation in the coming months and likely approve a plan in early June.

Some highlights:

Flint

The governor, who has apologized for his administration's role in the lead contamination of Flint's water supply, proposed $195 million more to address the crisis, on top of $37 million previously approved. It includes $25 million to replace lead services lines in the highest-risk homes, $30 million to help residents and businesses with water bills and $50 million that would be set aside in a reserve fund for future needs.

Other Infrastructure

Snyder, who said Michigan's infrastructure gets a "D" grade, proposed a new $165 million statewide fund to help other local governments upgrade known lead and copper services lines and make other infrastructure improvements. Once a commission makes recommendations, Snyder and the Legislature would decide how the money is split and which communities receive it. It is money Snyder normally would have proposed to add to the state's savings account.

K-12 Schools

Snyder proposed a minimum $60 per pupil increase, from $8,169 to $8,229, for districts that get the basic level of funding and a maximum $120 boost for districts receiving the minimum allowance, from $7,391 to $7,511. The increase would range from 0.7 percent to 1.6 percent. The total school aid budget would rise 2 percent to $14 billion.

Detroit District

Snyder proposed spending $720 million over a decade to restructure the Detroit Public Schools, wiping out operating debt and launching a new district. Instead of directly limiting funding for other districts - which Snyder has proposed in the past - his plan would shift the funding from Michigan's yearly payments from tobacco companies under a 1998 settlement.

Universities

Snyder proposed fully restoring the aggregate operations funding for 15 state universities to what it was when he took office. In his first year, 2011, he and lawmakers cut the spending by 15 percent to help resolve a budget deficit. The funding would rise 4.3 percent, or $61 million. Universities could not qualify for the full amount unless they keep tuition hikes to no more than 4.8 percent - a threshold the Legislature may lower in negotiations.

Public Safety

Snyder proposed expanding his "Secure Cities" program so state police troopers patrol in more cities. They currently are based in Detroit, Flint, Pontiac and Saginaw. His plan would spend an additional $1.5 million to add Benton Harbor, Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, Inkster and Muskegon Heights. He also called for $18 million to train 85 new trooper recruits and 350 more corrections officers.

Health Care

Snyder called for providing dental care for all low-income kids in every Michigan county, bringing the total covered to nearly 827,000 - compared to 285,000 who were covered when he took office. He also proposed $135 million for expensive specialty medicines to treat nearly 7,000 Medicaid patients and 340 prisoners with Hepatitis C and 320 children with cystic fibrosis.

Human Services

Snyder proposed boosting a yearly clothing allowance for children on welfare, from $140 to $200, and extending eligibility to 25,000 more children.

Voting Equipment

Snyder proposed spending $15 million - including $5 million in local matching dollars - to replace voting equipment. Most machines are more than 10 years old.

Taxes

Snyder called for $2.8 million to implement an e-filing system to encourage residents to file their Michigan tax returns on the Internet for free. About 80 percent of residents e-file their returns. The initiative is aimed at those who still file via paper.

© Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.