Capitol News

State Representative Cam Cavitt announced that the recently finalized state budget includes more than $43 million in funding increases for Northeast Michigan. The funds are allocated across various sectors, such as education, roads, broadband expansion, and water infrastructure.

“Northeast Michigan has been given the cold shoulder by the rest of the state for far too long; most especially when it comes to deciding where to spend state dollars,” said Cavitt, a Republican from Cheboygan. “That’s why I was honored to sit on the budget committee responsible for making these decisions so I could ensure our community did not receive the short stick like we have for generations.”

Local schools will benefit from a combined increase of over $5.8 million. This results from a per-student funding boost of more than $440, raising the total to $10,050 per student.

The new budget also provides nearly $2 billion statewide for road repairs and maintenance. As part of this allocation, all communities in Northeast Michigan will see an increase in road funding by more than 33%, which amounts to over $13 million compared to last year.

“Communities throughout Michigan are seeing a boost to education and road funding, but I made sure Northeast Michigan got its fair share,” Cavitt stated. “These dollars will support our schools and will finally pave the way for key infrastructure improvements we’ve needed for years.”

Cavitt highlighted other specific gains secured through the budget process: “Broadband expansion has been a top priority for me. Northeast Michigan has consistently lagged behind when it comes to connectivity,” he said. “These funds will help ensure things like remote work, telehealth, and online banking are easily accessible in our communities. Focusing on broadband expansion and other initiatives that would have an outsized influence on Northeast Michigan was another key win during the budget process. Securing dollars to improve our aging ports and finally getting EGLE to be helpful during the permitting process will pay dividends for residents and businesses alike in our communities.”