The Governor appeared before a joint meeting of the House and Senate appropriations committees. Whitmer was flanked by Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and her Budget Director Christopher Harkins. She said the 79-billion-dollar proposal includes record spending on schools, universities, community colleges and job training. Also, money to attract and keep teachers.
“It is a big budget,” she said, “but it is also a great opportunity for the state.”
She also asked for an expansion of the State earned income tax credit and a one-time payment of 180-dollars to each tax filer. Many republicans say that’s a weak substitute compared to a permanent decrease in the State income tax rate.
