Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs $59.1B state budget with loads of new money for Detroit

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, joined by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and other local officials, signed a $59.1 billion state spending plan for 2025 on Wednesday that includes major support for projects and programs in Michigan's largest city.

The signing ceremony was held at the Detroit Fire Department's Engine 52. That's where House Speaker Joe Tate's father, firefighter Coleman Tate, worked when he died in the line of duty in 1981, at the age of 28.

“This budget is a plan built with you, the people in mind,” and includes investments in communities and public safety, said Tate, D-Detroit.

Whitmer, in her remarks, also emphasized public safety, noting the budget includes a new $75 million Public Safety Trust Fund for local communities, increases revenue sharing that local governments use to support police and fire agencies, and funds violence intervention programs.

"We have delivered a pragmatic, balanced budget that delivers on the kitchen table issues," Whitmer said.

When combined with the $23.4 billion education budget Whitmer signed in Flint Tuesda y, Whitmer's Wednesday signature in Detroit finalizes Michigan's $82.5 billion state budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.

The budget, approved in the early hours of June 27 in a mostly party-line vote, includes close to $2.1 billion transferred to local road agencies from the Michigan Transportation Fund; $100 million to help the Michigan State Housing Development Authority increase housing stock and affordability around the state; $65.1 million to increase child care provider pay rates by 15%; and an extra $15 million for the Pure Michigan tourism promotion campaign.

Though those and most budget programs are intended to benefit residents across Michigan, and many budget grants are aimed specifically at communities outside of Detroit, the budget includes more than $55 million in Detroit-specific programs and grants. They include:

• $7 million for Detroit Zoo infrastructure.
• $5 million to the Motown Museum in Detroit.
• $5 million for the Bonstelle Theatre in Detroit.
• $5 million for BAMF (Bold Advanced Medical Future), a cancer center in Detroit.
• $5 million for Detroit street maintenance and cleanup.
• $3 million for an unspecified housing program in Detroit.
• $2 million for Downtown Boxing Gym, a free academic and athletic program for students ages 8 to 18.
• $2 million for the E. Warren Development Corp., a nonprofit working on revitalizing Detroit's East Warren corridor.
• $2 million to Invest Detroit for senior housing.
• $1.5 million for the Detroit Rescue Mission.
• $1.5 million for Michigan Women Forward, A Detroit-based nonprofit focused on entrepreneurship and mentorship.
• $1 million for Detroit Blight Busters neighborhood block grants.
• $1 million for the Fisher Building.
• $1 million for "7 Mile House" in Detroit.
• $1 million for WDET Detroit Public Radio.
• $1 million for Women's Innovative Social Enterprise Partnership (WISE), a Detroit nonprofit.
• $1 million for Developing KIDS, a Detroit nonprofit that offers after-school and summer programs for youth.
• $1 million for Focus: HOPE, a Detroit-based nonprofit that fights racism and poverty.
• $1 million for Detroit Parks Coalition infrastructure and accessibility.
• $1 million for city of Detroit public parks and greenway infrastructure.
• $1 million for the Detroit/Wayne County Port Authority.
• $1 million for revitalization of Detroit's Chinatown.
• $1 million for the Concert of Colors, a Detroit festival.
• $750,000 allocated for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
• $700,000 for the St. Vincent and Sara Fischer Center in Detroit, which works with at-risk children and adults.
• $500,000 for Prince Hall Most Worshipful Grand Lodge, a masonic organization based in Detroit.
• $500,000 for Detroit sidewalk repair and maintenance.
• $300,000 for public wi-fi in Detroit's Greektown area.
• $250,000 for the Police Athletic Club in Detroit.
• $250,000 for the Violet T. Lewis senior home in Detroit.
• $225,000 for the Detroit International Auto Show.
• $150,000 for Arts & Scraps, a Detroit nonprofit that provides reused materials and educational resources to promote sustainability and creativity.
• $100,000 for LA SED, a nonprofit agency serving residents of southwest Detroit
• $100,000 for foster care aging out services provided by Kirsten's Touch, a Detroit nonprofit.
• $100,000 for the AmeriCorps Urban Safety Program/Detroit Youth Service Corps.

Bobby Leddy, a spokesman for Whitmer, said Detroit is also expected to receive $241.5 million in state revenue sharing in 2025, an increase of more than $6.7 million from this year.

State Rep. Andrew Beeler, R-Port Huron, said the state budget should more responsibly address the needs of the entire state and include fewer "pet projects in a few favored communities like Detroit and Lansing."

Beeler said in an email that "kids struggle to read and drivers can't navigate pothole-ridden roads, but at least casino-goers in Detroit's Greektown will have taxpayer-funded wi-fi."

But Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, said last year’s budget process focused on prioritizing people and communities typically left behind and this latest spending plan marks a continuation of that focus.

Michigan Budget Director Jen Flood has described the 2025 budget as a "return to normal" budget after several years of sharply inflated revenues largely related to a massive influx of federal COVID-19 relief and stimulus money.

Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. Follow him on X, @paulegan4.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs $59.1B state budget with loads of new money for Detroit