The Michigan House of Representatives passed a bipartisan proposal aimed at supporting public safety and reducing violence statewide. According to recent FBI data, four of the 20 most violent cities in the nation are in Michigan
Key Points:
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- House Bills 4260 – 4261 were introduced by Representative Mike Harris (R-Clarkston) and Representative Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn).
- The plan creates a Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund.
- $115 million of state sales tax revenue would be deposited into the fund.
- $72 million of that would be distributed to cities, villages, and townships based on their share of statewide violent crime.
- Local governments would be required to use the resources to increase support for public safety and violence intervention efforts.
- The bills also set aside $40 million for county sheriff’s offices, distributed according to the size of each county’s police force.
- Additionally, $1.5 million would go to the Crime Victims’ Rights Fund, and another $1.5 million would be available as grants for community violence intervention initiatives.
Next Steps:
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- The bills will be sent to the Senate for consideration.
