FLINT – State Representative Woodrow Stanley (D-Flint) today joined local leaders, police, educators and other supporters at the University of Michigan – Flint to tout the Michigan Future Plan, which secures programs that are critical to protecting Michigan's future and turning our economy around. The plan, which passed the House this week, focuses on investing in three priority areas – local police and fire protection, the Michigan Promise Scholarship, and health care for kids and seniors.
"My colleagues and I have already reduced state spending by $1 billion, and while we continue to work to streamline government, we must ensure that we do not make cuts that mortgage Michigan's future," Stanley said. "We must do everything we can to protect the Michigan Promise Scholarship, local police and fire protection, and health care for kids and seniors. That's why we passed the Michigan Future Plan – to invest in these programs that are vital to our residents and our state's economic turnaround."
All money raised into the Michigan Future Fund would be dedicated exclusively for police and fire protection, Promise Scholarships, health care and libraries.
The Michigan Future Plan:
- Restores local police and fire protection;
- Safeguards Promise Scholarships;
- Provides health care for kids and seniors; and
- Protects Michigan libraries.
State money that local governments use to pay for local police and fire protection has already been slashed by more
than $500 million this decade, causing Michigan communities to lose more than
4,000 firefighters and police officers since 2001.
"Our city and our residents can't afford to make any more sacrifices," said Flint Mayor Dayne Walling. "As a city, we are working to attract new businesses and we have to show that the state of Michigan will be a strong reliable partner in educating residents, taking care of children and seniors, and maintaining a proper public safety system. Especially in these tough economic times, it's imperative that we have a balance of spending cuts and revenue, this plan will do that."
Nearly 100,000 Michigan students who rely on the $4,000 Promise Scholarship to attend community college, a university or vocational training have already been promised part of that tuition money for the current school year.
Funding for the Michigan Future Plan comes from reducing tax exemptions for corporations and maintaining the personal income tax exemptions at current year levels. Lawmakers also are looking at enforcing the tobacco tax more fairly and expanding late night liquor licenses.
In addition to the Michigan Future Fund, the House passed the Health Care Rebate to help ensure that 1.7 million children, seniors, and residents with disabilities have access to life-saving medical treatment by bringing reimbursement rates for Medicaid more in line with Medicare.
Under the plan, Michigan will receive a return of nearly $3 in federal matching funds for every dollar contributed – bringing in $716 million to ensure kids and seniors have access to x-rays, vaccines and life-saving treatments. An estimated 80 percent of doctors will benefit from the plan, and increasing the number of doctors willing to treat patients in need will increase access to health care for nearly 2 million residents while also reducing the financial burden on the state.
"It's no secret we're facing the toughest times many of us have ever seen," Stanley said "However, we cannot expect economic recovery if we ignore public safety, dodge our obligation to educate our future workers, and abandon our seniors and children who need health care. These are all priorities that are critical to moving our state forward."