Whitmer seeks boost in tuition, child care, bridge spending

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is proposing a $67 billion budget that she says would aid the state's pandemic recovery by solidifying new programs to attend community college for free, expanding child care assistance and boosting local bridge repairs. The Democrat's annual spending blueprint was unveiled to the Republican-led Legislature on Thursday. She ácalled for $570 million to address learning loss and K-12 enrollment declines on top of a $162-per-student, or 2%, increase in base aid for most traditional districts. Whitmer says she focused on three major priorities: economic reengagement, a return to in-person instruction and vaccine dissemination.