House Committee Approves Budget For Strategic Fund, MEDC

LANSING – The Michigan House Appropriations Committee on Thursday approved $80 million in funding for the Michigan Strategic Fund and Michigan Economic Development Corporation, no change from the earlier subcommittee proposal.

Rep. George Cushingberry (D-Detroit) tried to amend the bill to provide $250,000 toward Middle East and African trade missions, saying that Michigan has lagged in the effort to attract business from this area of the world.

But Rep. Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township) said that the only office the MEDC has abroad is in Hong-Kong and those operations cost less money, $204,000 per year.

“I believe we can spend the money better,” he said.

HB 5786 was passed with Cushingberry being the only abstaining vote and Rep, Marsha Cheeks (D-Detroit) abstaining.

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