Whitmer’s budget takes a proactive approach to protect our health, invest in infrastructure

LANSING – The Michigan League of Conservation Voters today issued the following statement after Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced her executive budget for 2022.  

“At a time when public health is a top priority for Michiganders, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is taking a proactive approach in her budget for 2022 with major investments in our infrastructure,”  said Lisa Wozniak, executive director for the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. “The COVID pandemic has underscored the importance of having clean, safe and affordable water to drink. That means investing in our infrastructure and taking action to reduce pollution and contamination that make health threats like COVID-19 worse. We look forward to working with the Governor and state lawmakers to pass this important funding to protect the health of all Michiganders and build back our economy.”

Michigan LCV priorities in the governor’s budget include:

Children’s Health/Public Education 

• $55 million to support the Filter First program, which will protect drinking water in Michigan’s schools and make sure Michigan’s school children are not exposed to harmful contaminants like lead, PFAS, and legionella (as was found in the drinking water of Birmingham Public Schools last year)

Economic Opportunity

• $25 million to support the Mobility Futures Initiative, which is geared toward electric and autonomous vehicles

Public Health

• $10 million to support the Lead Poisoning Prevention Fund
• $5 million to support the Home Health and Safety Fund
• $20 million for immediate contaminated site clean up  

Infrastructure

• $290 million to address the terrible septics problems in our state
• $40 million to address the growing stormwater/flooding problems in our state
• $15M to address dam safety issues

Energy/Environment

• $5 million for the Green Revolving Fund to provide financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at state facilities
• $5 million for large scale propane tank (storage) purchases, to shore up our propane infrastructure
• $5 million for the MI Saves Green Bank, the nation’s first non-profit green banking institution focusing on improving access to clean energy solutions, providing equitable financing to reduce the carbon footprint for homeowners and businesses.

Racial Justice and Equity

• $1.6 million for the Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Office to promote racial equity and inclusion in the Department of Health and Human Services-administered services.