This morning the Senate approved the FY 2014 budget to send to the Governor for his signature.

Thanks to the urging of Michigan Municipal League members in recent weeks, the budget includes a 4.8 percent increase in statutory revenue sharing for local governments, representing a  $10.8 million increase. In the past 12 years the state has cut local revenue sharing by more than $6 billion. The Governor’s and House’s 2014 state budget recommendations called for no statutory revenue sharing increases to cities, villages and townships, but League staff and League members in recent days and weeks strongly encouraged lawmakers to support the Senate budget plan that included a 4.8 percent increase.

The budget also includes a 2.8 percent increase in constitutional revenue sharing, representing $20.6 million.

Samantha Harkins is the Director of State Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League.  She can be reached at 517-908-0306 or email at sharkins@mml.org