Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus took action this week following last week’s surprising decision by the House Appropriations Committee to cancel almost $645 million in ongoing funding to work projects. The projects were all approved during the FY25 budget process and received appropriations.
Committee Action:
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- The Senate Appropriations Committee heard testimony from organizations that had their funding revoked, including Flint Community Schools, Kids Talk Children’s Advocacy Center, and Maggie’s Wigs 4 Kids, among others.
- Senate Appropriations Chairwoman Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) submitted a letter to Attorney General Dana Nessel requesting her to issue an opinion on the legality of the actions taken by the House Appropriations Committee.
- Senator Anthony is asking her to review the legality of the committee’s application of the language in the Michigan and Budget Act of 1984.
- Please click here to read the letter to the Attorney General.
Legislative Action:
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- On Tuesday, the Senate voted 23-13 to pass a supplemental to restore the funding.
- Five Republicans voted with the Senate Democratic Caucus in favor: Senators Jon Bumstead (R-North Muskegon), John Damoose (R-Harbor Springs), Mark Huizenga (R-Walker), Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), and Michael Webber (R-Rochester Hills).
- The Senate used a House-passed bill as a vehicle for the appropriations, ensuring it wouldn’t be subjected to the five-day rule.
- The bill was returned to the House for its consideration of the substituted version of House Bill 4576.
