LANSING – State Representative Fred Durhal, Jr. (D-Detroit) on Tuesday voted to pass the Michigan Future Plan in order to secure investment in local police and fire protection, the Michigan Promise Scholarship, and health care for kids and seniors – programs that are critical to protecting Michigan's future and turning our economy around.
"Detroit families and those all across Michigan have made many sacrifices during these tough economic times, but there are some sacrifices they simply shouldn't have to make," Durhal said. "Health care for kids and seniors, access to a college education for our students, and local police and fire protection are vital programs to our residents and community, and are necessary to move Michigan forward. We must do all we can to protect these essential priorities."
All money raised into the Michigan Future Fund would be dedicated exclusively for police and fire protection, Promise Scholarships, health care and libraries.
State money that local governments use to pay for local police and fire protection has already been slashed by more than $500 million this decade, causing Michigan communities to lose more than 4,000 firefighters and police officers since 2001.
The Michigan Future Plan:
- Restores local police and fire protection;
- Safeguards Promise Scholarships;
- Provides health care for kids and seniors; and
- Protects Michigan libraries.
Nearly 100,000 Michigan students who rely on the $4,000 Promise Scholarship to attend community college, a university or vocational training have already been promised part of that tuition money for the current school year.
Funding for the Michigan Future Plan comes from reducing special tax exemptions for corporations and maintaining the personal income tax exemptions at current year levels.
In addition to the Michigan Future Fund, Durhal also voted to pass the Health Care Rebate to help ensure that 1.7 million children, seniors and residents have access to life-saving medical treatment by bringing reimbursement rates for Medicaid more in line with Medicare.
Under the plan, Michigan will receive a return of nearly $3 in federal matching funds for every dollar contributed. An estimated 80 percent of doctors will benefit from the plan, and increasing the number of doctors willing to treat patients in need will increase access to health care for nearly 2 million residents while also reducing the financial burden on the state.
"Too many of Michigan's children and seniors are living without adequate access to health care," Durhal said. "This is simply unacceptable. The Health Care Rebate will help 1.7 million kids, residents with disabilities and seniors get the vaccinations, x-rays, emergency care and other life-saving treatments they need."