However, it will require billions of dollars in revenue to enact the Governor’s proposals

LANSING – Fund MI Future Executive Director MoReno Taylor II said his coalition found a lot to like in Gov. Whitmer’s State of the State address this week – free preschool for Michigan’s four-year-olds and two free years of community college, for example. However, he cautioned that these proposals will be almost impossible to enact without more revenue and accountability for taxpayer dollars. 

“As my mother says, you can’t keep robbing Peter to pay Paul,” Taylor said. “Legislators have a limited amount of taxpayer dollars they can use to fund public programs and services. While I love the idea of rewarding our hardworking family caregivers and giving every high school graduate the opportunity to have two free years at one of our community colleges, I’m troubled that we’re still pursuing the same trickle-down economic development strategies from previous administrations that give profitable companies millions in taxpayer-funded incentives while our communities are forced to contend with endless budget cuts to pay for those incentives. It’s hard to understand how we will make Michigan a more attractive place for young professionals and working families without substantial investments in the things that make cities worth living in: transit, parks, libraries, clean water, affordable housing, mental health care, and programs for seniors.” 

Taylor pointed out that Michigan’s students have suffered greatly due to decades of disinvestment under previous administrations, and the state’s public education system risks falling even further behind without serious intervention. 

“The Governor’s vision of stronger educational opportunities and support for families is spot on,” Taylor said. “But when her own population council identifies billions of dollars in funding needs and she couples these proposals with more business tax giveaways, it’s difficult to see how we can achieve both. Just imagine the future Michigan could have if we invest in our residents AND make sure that wealthy corporations pay what they owe.”

Fund MI Future is a joint effort of grassroots community organizations, labor unions, and policy/research experts working to create shared prosperity for all Michiganders by fully and equitably funding our public services like schools, roads, and clean water.

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