In today’s consensus revenue estimating conference, state officials including the House and Senate Fiscal Agencies and the Department of Treasury, estimated a $970 million budget surplus over the next three years.

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2013, there is an established $374 million surplus in the general fund (GF) and $56 million in the school aid fund (SAF) for a total of $430 million of actual surplus.

The FY 2014 estimates are $126 million in GF and $90 million in SAF higher than the budget estimates from May of 2013.

The FY 2015 estimates are $206 million in GF and $119 million in SAF higher than the budget estimates from May of 2013.

League President Jackie Noonan issued a statement calling for lawmakers to reinvest in communities after a decade of using revenue sharing dollars to fill state budget holes.

Michigan Municipal League statement on budget surplus Jan 2014

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