Michigan Legislature approves $4.8B infrastructure plan
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan lawmakers on March 24 approved $4.8 billion in spending, mostly for infrastructure upgrades, with an influx of federal pandemic and other funds that will go toward water systems, roads, parks and other priorities including affordable housing.
The supplemental budget plan, which Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will sign, has more than $2.1 billion for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure — including by replacing lead pipes — dam repairs and safety, and the remediation of “forever chemicals” known as PFAS.
The House and Senate approved the main bill 95-7 and 34-3. The deal was announced late on March 23 by the governor and Republicans who lead the Legislature’s budget committees.
The plan — which legislators called “momentous” and “historic” — includes $250 million to add high-speed internet to rural and other areas without access, an additional $383 million in emergency assistance for low-income renters, and $271 million for housing and related aid.
There is $250 million to improve state parks and recreation areas, including $30 million to put a state park in downtown Flint. Another $200 million is for local parks and greenways — split among Detroit, Grand Rapids, a northern Michigan tourism and sports fund, and a statewide parks and recreation grant program.
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