Tell Michigan Lawmakers to prioritize clean transportation, water protection, and affordable housing in the budget

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During Governor Whitmer’s 2024 State of the State address, she presented an ambitious vision aimed at positioning Michigan as a destination where every individual can thrive—a place where residents aspire to settle down. However, her newly released budget falls short of achieving this vision. While it includes some positive aspects, including critical funding for the proper rollout of our clean energy transition, ensuring access to our wonderful State Parks for Veterans, and landfill pollution control, it falls short in terms of delivering in the areas to truly grow Michigan.

Some of the misguided areas in the budget are:

An additional $150 million towards the failed Palisades nuclear plant
Cuts to local transit funding, which ensures the equitable success of all Michiganders.
Insufficiently funding energy-efficient upgrades to our homes
Failing to properly support drinking water initiatives.

As our State representatives and senators work to finalize the budget for the upcoming fiscal year, they must hear from us. Every individual's input is essential in shaping our state's future. Take action today and demand a strong and equitable state budget that serves the needs of all residents.

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However, her budget falls woefully short in many ways. If we are actually serious as a state about growing our population and protecting our natural resources, I urge you to prioritize the following areas in the upcoming state budget.

Investment in Energy-Efficient Housing

Michigan's homes and buildings contribute significantly to our state's greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, I urge you to allocate $100 million for a whole home retrofit program aimed at making efficiency improvements in Michigan's buildings. This not only helps in reducing emissions but also makes housing more affordable for residents.

Expanding Clean Transportation Choices

We’ve heard loud and clear that companies and young people have passed on moving to Michigan because we do not have functional public transit. Investing in public transit and expanding mobility options means investing equitably in the success of all Michiganders. Instead of sinking hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars for false solutions like the failed Palisades nuclear plant, we should be using that money to prioritize ongoing funding to invigorate Michigan’s public transit and clean transportation future. Palisades is not needed for our clean energy future and any further funding for it should be rejected.

Protecting Our Water Resources and Communities

Protecting water resources is paramount because water is essential for sustaining life, ecosystems, and our economy. I encourage you to advocate for funding measures that will support lead removing filters for our schools, wetland restoration, affordable drinking water, septic system repairs, and further action in protecting our communities from PFAS.

I believe that continuing to prioritize these areas in the budget will not only solidify Michigan's position as a national leader, but will make our state a more attractive, affordable place to live.

I am writing as a concerned resident of Michigan to express my strong support for key priorities that will shape our state's future. In Governor Whitmer's budget, she calls for critical funding to support vehicle electrification, staffing at the Public Service Commission to effectively implement additional clean energy and efficiency work, veterans access to the outdoors, landfill pollution control, and green infrastructure. I implore you to support such investments. However, her budget falls woefully short in many ways. If we are actually serious as a state about growing our population and protecting our natural resources, I urge you to prioritize the following areas in the upcoming state budget. Investment in Energy-Efficient Housing Michigan's homes and buildings contribute significantly to our state's greenhouse gas emissions. To address this, I urge you to allocate $100 million for a whole home retrofit program aimed at making efficiency improvements in Michigan's buildings. This not only helps in reducing emissions but also makes housing more affordable for residents. Expanding Clean Transportation Choices We’ve heard loud and clear that companies and young people have passed on moving to Michigan because we do not have functional public transit. Investing in public transit and expanding mobility options means investing equitably in the success of all Michiganders. Instead of sinking hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars for false solutions like the failed Palisades nuclear plant, we should be using that money to prioritize ongoing funding to invigorate Michigan’s public transit and clean transportation future. Palisades is not needed for our clean energy future and any further funding for it should be rejected. Protecting Our Water Resources and Communities Protecting water resources is paramount because water is essential for sustaining life, ecosystems, and our economy. I encourage you to advocate for funding measures that will support lead removing filters for our schools, wetland restoration, affordable drinking water, septic system repairs, and further action in protecting our communities from PFAS. I believe that continuing to prioritize these areas in the budget will not only solidify Michigan's position as a national leader, but will make our state a more attractive, affordable place to live.

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