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Governor Snyder released the following 2012-13 budget highlights on Thursday in Lansing to a joint Senate and House Appropriations Committee.  The Governor says ” The good news we are no longer in crisis mode, but more work has to be done to maintain what we have.”

Access all budget information here:  http://www.michigan.gov/budget

• General –A total of $48.2 billion in state and federal revenue sources. More than 75 percent is devoted to education, health and human services.

• Agriculture –An additional $1 million to complete 5,000 verifications under the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance program, which encourages farm practices that are environmentally friendly and economically sustainable.  $500,000 to develop and implement preventative food safety measures, including supporting the new U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety Modernization Act requirements.

• Arts and Culture– An additional $3.6 million for arts and culture.

• Children and Families –Improving dental care and oral health outcomes for children, with $25 million invested to expand the Healthy Kids Dental Program, broadening the effort to ensure that children in rural areas receive good dental care.  Expanding Medicaid and MIChild coverage to include the treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders for children under age 6, with $34.1 million in funding for the diagnosis and treatment of autism.  Funding to enhance child welfare services for abused and neglected children to keep children safe in their own homes and, when necessary, support alternative living arrangements including foster care and adoption.  Increasing the rate paid to foster parents and adoptive parents by $3 per day to pay for basic living expenses for foster and adopted children, encouraging and supporting permanent placements, and aiding the recruitment of foster and adoptive parents.

• Economic and Talent Development  –A total of $195 million in funding for the Michigan Economic Development Corp. to continue economic gardening to help local businesses grow, with $25 million in funding for film credits.  Enhancements to Pure Michigan Talent Connect, the new online tool ensuring Michigan’s economic development and talent enhancement are occurring in tandem, with $15 million in ongoing funding to secure employment and training for the structurally unemployed.

• Education –Preparing our children for success in this global economy is a priority. The total recommended budget adds $113 million into education when compared to the 2012 budget.  A total of $120 million for school districts that meet five of six best practices, which include publishing a “dashboard”; serving as a policyholder for health benefits; participation in schools of choice; monitoring student growth in each subject area at least twice a year; offering dual enrollment, Advanced Placement courses, participating in a middle college, or offering other post-secondary learning opportunities; and offering online or blended learning.  A total of $70 million for performance funding centered on student growth. Performance criteria must be met in the areas of mathematics in grades 3-8, reading in grades 3-8, and all high school subject areas.

• Environment –An additional $10 million contamination cleanup at leaking underground storage tank sites. An additional $725,000 to administer a new grant program and an expanded loan program that will encourage critical investments in large sewer system improvement projects.

• Fiscal Responsibility –A strong show of fiscal responsibility by depositing $130 million in the Budget Stabilization Fund to build up reserves for a rainy day.  An ongoing investment of $25 million ($15 million in ongoing funding and $10 million in one-time funding) to address deterioration and maintenance issues in state-owned and managed buildings, addressing the need now rather than creating future liability through bonding for maintenance.

• Good Government –A new financial health dashboard available at www.michigan.gov/openmichigan.  Continued best practices that achieve value for money for taxpayers, including $210 million for the Economic Vitality Incentive Program and $125.6 million for a new incentive-based program for counties.

• Higher Education –Funding increases of 3 percent for both community colleges and universities, based on new distribution formulas. For community colleges, funding will be distributed based on their share of the total number of certificate and associate degree completions in critical skill areas. For universities, funding will be distributed based on four metrics: the growth in the number of undergraduate degree completions, the number of undergraduate completions in critical skills areas, the number of undergraduate Pell Grant recipients, and compliance with tuition restraint.  Additional support of Michigan’s universities and community colleges by advancing 18 capital outlay construction projects previously approved for planning by the Legislature, with reforms that will assist in strategically aligning capital investments with statewide economic development goals while streamlining the approval process.

• Public Safety –Strong investments in public safety to include funding of $164.7 million for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and $567.6 million for the Michigan State Police, including $55.7 million in funding for Military Preparedness for the Michigan National Guard and funding for core state police programs such as road patrol, motor carrier enforcement, and investigative services. This is a 16-percent increase in funding over the current year.  An additional $15 million in general fund for law enforcement enhancement, which will be further detailed in the governor’s upcoming March 2012 Special Message on Public Safety.  $5 million to implement a summer initiative for at-risk youth with an emphasis in Pontiac, Flint, Saginaw and Detroit. The program will expose youths to positive after-school activities that allow them to experience constructive alternatives to going down the wrong path in life. Details of the program will be defined in the governor’s upcoming Special Message on Public Safety.

• Roads –Addressing Michigan’s deteriorating transportation infrastructure with $119 million in general fund revenues to ensure the full match of all federal highway and transit aid available in fiscal year 2013. This is the largest general fund amount ever included in the transportation budget.

• Vulnerable Residents –Establishing the new Home Heating Assistance for the Vulnerable program as a permanent source of funding for heating assistance for the poor. It is funded by $60 million in revenue generated from gas and electric utility rates. In support of seniors and people with disabilities, $14.1 million is recommended to reduce the waiting list for the MIChoice Home and Community Based Waiver Program. This increased support allows individuals to receive needed services while honoring their preference to remain in their homes or communities, and supports transitions from nursing homes.

• Technology –Investing $50 million in ongoing funding for technology upgrades and automation opportunities that will address the risks associated with outdated technology applications and improve efficiency in state government.

The Snyder administration will now work in partnership with the members of the Michigan House and Senate to enact the budget. The state’s new fiscal year begins Oct. 1.

Access all budget information here:  http://www.michigan.gov/budget

Read the bullet details here:  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/budget/PR_376265_7.pdf
Read the full line item proposed budget here  http://www.michigan.gov/documents/budget/GO_376249_7.pdf

Governor Rick Snyder

State Capitol

PO Box 30013

Lansing, MI  48909

Dear Governor Snyder,

As you consider what to include in your 2012-13 Michigan budget, the Northern Michigan Regional Chamber Alliance would like to express our support for your plan to re-invest in the education of Michigan students.  We would encourage you to make consistent and equitable funding using best practices for our schools a top priority.

We would ask that any additional funding for schools follow the 2X Formula funding model.  With your support all lower base funded schools could receive equitable funding increases through this formula. We need to bring equitable funding in education for our kids.  This method, while not perfect, works towards closing the base funding gap for the students that attend our K-12 schools.

The Northern Michigan Regional Chamber Alliance is a partnership of eight chambers of commerce across northern Michigan, created to advocate legislatively on behalf of our combined 6,500-member job providers in the region.  Our interests are consistent across the region, from tax policy and creating a business friendly regulatory environment, to tourism promotion and education excellence.

Thank you for your consideration and work on behalf of the citizens of Michigan.  If you or your staff would like to discuss this issue, I can be contacted at deyoung@tcchamber.org or 231-995-7109.

Sincerely,

Doug DeYoung

Vice President of

Government Relations and Business Advocacy

Northern Michigan Regional Chamber Alliance

Cc:   Sen. Darwin Booher, Sen. Tom Casperson, Sen. John Moolenaar, Sen. Howard Walker, Rep. Frank Foster, Rep. Ray Franz, Rep Matt Huuki, Rep. Greg Macmaster, Rep. Steven Lindberg, Rep. Phil Potvin, Rep. Peter Pettelia, Rep. Bruce Rendon, Rep. Wayne Schmidt

“To us in Northern Michigan it often appears that some of those larger communities get more than their fair share of the influence in Lansing. Because we cover such a large geographic area and our communities are smaller, we are a bit more fractured, and it is harder to get a unified message out. Therefore the alliance brings us all together.”

Read the full story by using this link.

http://www.petoskeynews.com/gaylord/business/ght-b-beachnau-020812,0,5010766.story

The Governor said in his second State of the State that Michigan’s economy is moving in the right direction and 2012 must be devoted to continuing the state’s reinvention by taking care of unfinished business, addressing other critical challenges and emphasizing good government.

He said “We made large strides to make Michigan great again,” and  “Michiganders came together and worked with relentless positive action to deliver the meaningful change that is getting our state back on its feet. Thanks to the leadership of our legislative partners, we’ve taken bold but thoughtful action to do what’s right for Michigan. We’re getting it right and getting it done. But this is no time to let up. Job One is still jobs. Ensuring bright, prosperous futures for working families and their children demands a steadfast commitment to Michigan’s reinvention.”

The Governor will present his 2012 budget on February 9th to a State Senate and House Joint Appropriations Committee.

The Governor laid out his plans for 2012.

• Government accountability: The governor will work with lawmakers to promote greater accountability and transparency in government by enacting overdue reforms to Michigan’s campaign finance, lobby and ethics laws.

• Crime: The cities of Saginaw, Flint, Detroit and Pontiac are among the nation’s top 10 in violent crime, which Snyder called unacceptable.

•  Health care: The governor announced Pure Michigan Fit, a collaborative pilot program with Gerber Products, the Michigan Grocers Association and the Michigan Health and Hospital Association.

• Autism: There now are medically proven treatments available for autism.  Snyder said Michigan should join the 27 other states that require insurers to cover evidence-based therapies for autism.

• Energy and environment: This fall Snyder will deliver a special message to the Legislature on energy and the environment. Michigan must be more strategic by focusing on the intersection of job creation, affordability, science and sustainability.

• Taxes: The governor will work with local governments and industry leaders to reform the personal property tax on industrial assets, while preserving funding for communities.

• Infrastructure: Snyder is urging lawmakers to conduct hearings on bills that will create a system of roads and bridges for the 21st century.

• New International Trade Crossing: Snyder urged action on the proposed NITC because it is vital to Michigan’s economic future. The NITC will be built without Michigan taxpayer dollars.

• Global talent: Snyder welcomed the support of Michigan universities and Unions to encourage immigration changes at the federal level so that immigrants with advanced degrees or who are entrepreneurs can create jobs for Michigan families.

• Communities: Snyder is recommending additional funding for the successful Economic Vitality Incentive Program, which builds stronger communities and promotes regional cooperation.

Read all of the Highlights of the Speech Here.

The Northern Michigan Regional Chamber Alliance executives and committee members met in December to set the 2012 legislative Agenda.

The guiding principles continue to be:

•    Make it easier for businesses in Northern Michigan to be profitable.
•    Help strong business sectors remain strong in our region.
•    Make sure we have a workforce educated and prepared for the future needs of Northern Michigan Businesses
•    Promote investment in our transportation and business infrastructure.

The focus of the agenda will be on education and workforce development, energy, regulatory reform, and funding and expanding the Pure Michigan campaign to include economic development opportunities.  The Draft is compete and is going through each partners committees and boards for approval.

The partnership of the Northern Michigan Regional Chamber Alliance was established based on the premise that many legislative issues impact Michigan’s northern lower peninsula in similar ways. These issues should be addressed regionally to maximize the political influence of this multiple county chamber alliance and it’s over 6,300 members.