State Budget

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign her second budget following the conclusion of budget negotiations between her office and the legislature. This budget addresses the anticipated $3 billion budget hole through a combination of federal funding, reserve funds, and strategic cuts. Funding was secured for both the state’s General Fund and School Aid Fund (including a moderate increase in funding), and will be signed in the coming days to adhere to the constitutionally mandated October 1 deadline. This budget deal includes the following:

• $30 million for Michigan Reconnect: tuition-free skills training for Michigan adults 
• $28.7 million for Going Pro: grants to businesses training employees in high-demand, skills-based fields
• $3 million for pre-apprenticeships to prepare qualified candidates to enter skilled trades
• Funding for universities and community college will be restored to pre-COVID levels
• $15 million to revive Pure Michigan with additional expected private contributions 
• $6 million to protect Michigan watersheds and help homes become more energy efficient
• $14.3 million for broadband expansion 
• Revenue sharing for local governments has also avoided significant budget cuts, with increased sales tax resources anticipated

More details on the budget are available from Bridge Magazine and MLive. 

Federal Continuing Resolution

Just eight days before a shutdown, the House of Representatives passed a stopgap bill on Tuesday to fund the federal government through mid-December. The deal announced by Speaker Pelosi (D‑CA) and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin will fully fund the government and provide sustaining funds for programs in public health and transportation, as well as nutrition assistance for children and families and additional farm aid with new oversight. The farm aid was expected to be a major hurdle for the resolution in the Senate, but with this inclusion the bill is expected to pass the Senate and be signed by the president in the coming days. 

More information can be found from NPR or the Washington Post. 

Tenant Resources 

The CDC issued a nationwide moratorium on evictions which took effect Friday, September 4. Tenants facing evictions or are in the eviction process due to nonpayment of rent are covered by this moratorium, under certain conditions. Tenants seeking this protection are required to declare their inability to pay their full rent, while continuing to pay as much rent as they can. As a reminder, tenants must submit a signed declaration to their landlord. More information on qualifications as well as a link to the declaration form are available on CEDAM’s website. 

Michigan’s Eviction Diversion Program (EDP) is designed to keep Michigan residents who fell behind on their rent during COVID-19 in their homes. The program utilizes a special court process to get fast rental assistance for renters who have been impacted. Rental assistance in the amount of $50 million is available in the form of lump sum payments to landlords in exchange for allowing tenants to remain in their homes, forgiving late fees and up to 10% of the amount due. You can find more information on the MSHDA website.