LANSING – The Department of Talent and Economic Development, which includes the Michigan Strategic Fund, the Talent Investment Agency and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, would receive $1.1 billion in total ongoing funding under Governor Rick Snyder‘s budget proposal, which includes a $10 million increase to the Skilled Trades Training program.

The budget proposal also includes $5.8 million in one-time federal funds to establish a three-year financial literacy pilot for Family Independence Program clients, intended to provide one-on-one sessions with professionally trained financial counselors to aid clients in achieving financial independence.

The $1.14 billion ($170.1 million General Fund) represents a decrease of 0.9 percent in total funds (14.3 percent decrease General Fund) from the current fiscal year. Much of that decrease is attributable to a significant reduction in the amount of one-time funds (37.7 percent overall, 68.4 percent General Fund) appropriated to the department, and especially the $25 million in film incentives that no longer exists after the Legislature voted to end the program (though it is still honoring its agreements before the state axed it).

The governor’s budget proposal invests a total of $115.5 million ($92.9 million General Fund) to business attraction and community revitalization efforts, an increase from the current fiscal year ($111.1 million, $91.1 million General Fund).

An additional $10 million in restricted funds was recommended for the Skilled Trades Training program, bringing total program funding to $35.6 million, a welcome investment to TIA Director Stephanie Comai.

“Michigan’s long-term success depends on our ability to ensure that job provider have access to the talent they need. This is especially true in the skilled trades, where thousands of exciting, good-paying jobs remain available,” Ms. Comai said in a statement. “With the continued support of the governor and Legislature, the Talent Investment Agency will keep working with stakeholders throughout Michigan to make our state a national leader in preparing talent for the rewarding careers of today and tomorrow.”

The governor’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year also includes one-time funding of $8.8 million for the Statewide Data System Integration project to help Michigan meet workforce data reporting requirements, as well as $9.8 million General Fund recommended for the Community Ventures program to “help the structurally unemployed pursue career opportunities and maintain employment in Detroit, Flint, Saginaw and Pontiac,” the governor’s budget overview document said.

An additional $2 million General Fund is recommended as a challenge match to encourage foundations and other organizations to support expansion of program services and integration into communities as it relates to the Community Ventures initiative.

And $10.2 million ($9 million General Fund) is recommended for arts and cultural grants.

When broken down by category, workforce development programs took a major hit in terms of General Fund dollars by about $20 million, though overall funding increased by about $40 million. MSHDA is also seeing no General Fund money in this budget proposal but will see an overall increase of slightly less than $10 million.

“Other Economic Development Programs” took the biggest hit in both General Fund and overall funding, going from about $159.78 million ($48.25 million General Fund) to $121.45 million ($20.9 million General Fund) under Mr. Snyder’s budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.

The Unemployment Insurance Agency would be appropriated $161.5 million under Mr. Snyder’s proposal, and the Land Bank Fast Track Authority would receive $5.25 million ($3.95 million General Fund). Job creation and support services would see $29.65 million ($17.42 million General Fund).

LARA: The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs’ proposed budget would mean a 2.1 percent overall increase from the current fiscal year, coming in at about $416.6 million ($42.8 million General Fund, an 11.3 percent increase).

The most significant addition is $4 million in one-time funding ($2.5 million General Fund), though budget documents did not detail what that would be used for. At least $1.5 million in one-time, restricted funds is recommended for additional information technology enhancements within the Liquor Control Commission.

And $4.5 million General Fund would be supplied to upgrade the Michigan Automated Prescription System, a statewide database to collect and monitor controlled substance prescriptions to prevent prescription drug abuse. The funding would support additional analysts, technicians and pharmacy investigators to improve the prescription monitoring program, the overview indicated.

With the creation of the Michigan Agency for Energy in 2015 would come $984,300 in restricted funds to support interagency cooperation, energy mandates, emergency coordination, waste reduction and improved reliability of the state’s current energy assets, the overview said. The Department of State Police budget also includes $750,000 of one-time funds for risk assessment and planning related to energy generation and distribution systems.

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