October 08, 2009
October 8, 2009
Funding approved for community colleges, judiciary, and military and veterans affairs
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed fiscal year 2010 appropriations bills for community colleges, the judiciary and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
"It's important for community colleges, the judiciary and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to know their state funding so they can finalize their budgets and plans for the coming year," Granholm said. "I look forward to completing the rest of the budget as soon as possible."
Community Colleges
The fiscal year 2010 appropriation for the state's 28 community colleges is $299.4 million, the same level as 2009. The funding helps Michigan's community colleges provide over 448,000 residents with affordable access to postsecondary education. Funding of $3.3 million is maintained for the At-Risk Student Success Program.
"I am pleased that even in these difficult times, we were able to maintain funding for community colleges without any reductions," Granholm said. "Community colleges are helping transform Michigan's economy by training workers for high-demand jobs through our No Worker Left Behind program."
Judiciary
The total operating budget for the judiciary for fiscal year 2010 is $258.8 million, which includes $153.1 million in general fund money.
The budget supports the essential operations of the judiciary and provides $5.1 million for drug treatment courts that hold offenders accountable for their behavior while providing treatment for substance abuse problems. Successful substance abuse treatment can reduce long, costly incarcerations and recidivism at both the local and state levels.
Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
The fiscal year 2010 appropriation for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs is $146.1 million, which includes $36.4 million in general fund money.
The budget:
maintains $42.7 million in funding for military training sites, headquarters and armories for homeland security;
provides $65.4 million for the Grand Rapids and D.J. Jacobetti veterans' homes which currently serve 900 veterans;
allocates $15 million in capital outlay funds for special maintenance and remodeling of National Guard facilities;
appropriates $4.7 million to manage the Michigan Youth ChalleNGe Academy for high school dropouts and at-risk youth;
provides $1 million for the Military Family Relief Fund to assist families of Michigan's active duty National Guard and military reserve members;
allocates $3 million to veterans' service organizations for veterans' benefits counseling and assistance.
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