Gov. Rick Snyder presented to the Legislature his recommended fiscal year 2014 state budget, an investment blueprint that moves Michigan forward and continues its emergence as the nation’s comeback state.
This is Snyder’s third budget in a row that establishes a fiscally responsible trend of the state spending within its means, while making strategic investments for Michigan’s future and quality of life. The recommended budget invests in priorities such as roads, education, health, human services, job growth and public safety.
“ It’s clear that Michigan is on the comeback ,” Snyder said. “ We are creating more jobs, our unemployment rate has improved, personal income for families is increasing, and our population is growing again. The measures we have taken to fix our tax system and get our budget in long-term balance are paying dividends. I am pleased to recommend a budget that keeps the momentum moving in the right direction .”
Protecting Natural Resources and the Environment
– A total of $5.9 million to hire and train 41 new Department of Natural Resources conservation officers to enforce natural resource, recreational safety and environmental protection laws.
– A total of $9.4 million for harbor dredging to help address low water levels and ensure harbors remain passable for boaters. To address the immediate need for dredging, a 2013 supplemental totaling $21.5 million will also be sent to the Legislature.
– A total of $6.9 million for other waterways boating projects and $9.5 million for repair and maintenance at state parks.
– A total of $97 million in bond proceeds for the Department of Environmental Quality to issue grants and low-interest loans to municipalities across the state to improve water quality.
– An additional $3 million in bond proceeds to establish a wetland mitigation bank funding program to provide grants and loans to eligible municipalities so that wetlands can be restored, created, or preserved to compensate for unavoidable impacts to wetlands.
– An additional $2.5 million of refined petroleum funds for environmental contamination cleanup work at leaking underground storage tank sites.
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Dredging Today Staff, February 11, 2013; Image: michigan.gov