LANSING – State Representative Gino Polidori (D-Dearborn) this week voted for the Michigan Future Plan that secures 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.
"Protecting these essential areas is critical to Michigan's economic future and public safety," said Polidori. "As a firefighter for more than 20 years, I know firsthand that keeping more of Dearborn's finest on our streets will help protect local jobs, protect our families and attract the job providers we need to get our economy back on track. The Michigan Future Plan will do just that."
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.
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 tax exemptions for corporations and maintaining the personal income tax exemptions at current year levels. Lawmakers also are looking at enforcing the tobacco tax more fairly and expanding late night liquor licenses.
In addition to the Michigan Future Fund, the House passed the Health Care Rebate to help ensure that
1.7 million children, seniors, and residents with disabilities 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 – bringing in $716 million to ensure kids and seniors have access to x-rays, vaccines and life-saving treatments. 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 two million residents while also reducing the financial burden on the state.