On Thursday, February 6, Governor Whitmer gave her constitutionally required budget recommendations for fiscal year 2020 – 2021 to a House and Senate Joint Committee on Appropriations. The Legislature will discuss and debate all of her recommendations over the next few months and come up with their own negotiated budgets. Similar to last year, the Governor has proposed $130 million for underground infrastructure and clean drinking water out of the general fund of the state budget.
Last year, $120 million was approved for underground infrastructure improvements. This will allow for local communities to utilize state dollars and upgrade their failing systems. Over the past several years, budget items have included more money for underground infrastructure that should be trickling into the market. While this is not nearly enough to satisfy the overall need for underground infrastructure improvements, it is a step in the right direction.
As the Legislature debates the budget, MITA staff will be advocating for the Governor’s recommendation and pushing for even more money for our much needed infrastructure repairs throughout the state.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Mike Nystrom, Executive Vice President, at mikenystrom@thinkmita.org or Lance Binoniemi, Vice President of Government Affairs, at lancebinoniemi@thinkmita.org. They both can be reached at 517-347-8336.
