Gov. Snyder Signs Next Michigan Budget Into Law
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - The $48 billion spending plan for the budget year that starts Oct. 1 is law.
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has signed the budget bills during a ceremony Tuesday afternoon at the Romney Building across from the Capitol.
The Republican-controlled House and Senate passed the budget bills three weeks ago. Snyder had the right to veto portions of the bills.
Democrats have criticized the GOP budget plan for not spending more on education.
Included in the budget is $50 million for film incentives, which is a bump of $25 million o
WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick said this is the second year in a row that the budget has been passed a couple of the deadline.
Skubick said Snyder is "very pleased" with the package includes a small cut in individual income taxes, more money for state police, more for the rainy day fund ($500 million up from $200 million), a slight increase in education funding and a down payment on school employees' health care costs in retirement.
Also included in the budget is $50 million for film incentives, which is a bump of $25 million over the existing budget.
Michigan Film Office spokeswoman Michelle Begnoche says, while the money is great, but Michigan has a lot to offer regardless.
"A lot of folks come to Michigan because of the incentive, but once they get here, the things that they find -- the talented workforce, the infrastructure, tremendous locations we have, that's what makes them wanna come back again," she said. "And so those are the things we work to talk to the industry about every day."
Begnoche is excited about the additional funding as it gives her office greater flexibility and to attract additional projects.
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