Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the first piece of legislation of the new term on Tuesday morning, a Democrat-introduced supplemental spending bill that will put $1.1 billion toward various state investment costs.
The bill signing marks the first time since 1947 that a Michigan governor signed a piece of legislation in January.
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Whitmer was introduced Monday by Democratic legislative leadership - Speaker Joe Tate and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks - and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, as a group of bipartisan lawmakers sat in the audience.
The supplemental spending legislation, which was supported by some Republicans in both chambers, sped through the Legislature Thursday to the criticism of other Republicans.
"I don't feel it's fair to the people that I represent if I'm voting on something I've just seen, and I do believe there's ways we could've been more involved in the process," Rep. Luke Meerman, R-Coopersville, said at the time.
Investments from the spending plan include:
- $200 million for an Escanaba paper mill in the Upper Peninsula
- $150 million for the state's economic growth fund, Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR)
- $150 million to build a program to give tax credits for affordable housing
- $100 million for community revitalization grants
- $75 million for small businesses most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic
- $75 million for blight elimination
- $20 million for law enforcement training
An additional nearly $150 million was marked to go toward closing out the books for the 2022 fiscal year.
Whitmer celebrated the investments Tuesday, saying she was proud of the legislature's diligent work to get the plan through the finish line.
"We're taking a step forward to grow our economy, invest in our communities, and build a bright future in Michigan, for Michigan, and every person who calls this great state home," Whitmer said.
This legislative term marks the first time since the early 1980s where Michigan's Legislature is led in both chambers by Democrats, while the governor position is also held by a Democrat.
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