Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs the fiscal year 2023 budget | Governor Gretchen Whitmer/Facebook
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs the fiscal year 2023 budget | Governor Gretchen Whitmer/Facebook
The bipartisan budget for fiscal year 2023 includes several provisions that enhance public health and safety.
The budget provides funds for the development of a state psychiatric hospital, a laboratory for public health and environment initiatives, expanded dental care coverage and improved access to mental health resources throughout Michigan, according to a recent news release.
In addition, the budget will establish a program aimed at mitigating court costs and crime by the moniker of Jobs Court.
"Job's Court is a novel and innovative solution proposed by the governor and attorney general to reduce crime and make our communities safer," Shari Ware, Detroit chapter co-coordinator for Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice, said in the release. "By offering a good paying job with benefits – instead of jail time for non-violent offenders – this program will reduce recidivism and give hundreds of Michiganders a second chance. We fully support this program and applaud the bipartisan support to get this program funded."
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) shared what the 2023 budget will provide Michigan families.
“Since day one, I have been focused on delivering on the kitchen-table issues that matter most to working families,” Whitmer said in the release. “Our bipartisan budget makes critical investments in two things that are top of mind for every family and community—health and safety. It will increase access to mental health services by building a new state psychiatric hospital complex, expanding behavioral health capacity and offering tuition reimbursement for mental health professionals.”
Matthew Sahr, Michigan Professional Firefighters Union president, said the union looks forward to working with government agencies to address EMS issues as soon as possible.
“The members of the Michigan Professional Firefighters Union are pleased that the governor and the legislature have provided this additional funding for EMS (emergency medical service) scholarships and grants which are needed to address the critical shortage of paramedics in our fire departments across the state,” said Sahr.
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