A bill signed by the state's governor, Gretchen Whitmer, allocates billions in federal and state funding to water quality, roads and dams, broadband, and other infrastructure projects.
"Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill in Grand Rapids on Wednesday that uses billions of dollars in federal funds to improve state drinking water, sewers, parks, roads, dams and internet service, while helping renters and homeowners financially harmed by the COVID-19 pandemic," according to an article by Paul Egan in the Detroit Free Press.
The $4.7 billion bill relies largely on federal funding, with $572 coming from the state's general fund.
Egan details the projects funded by the bill, including $1.8 billion allocated to drinking water quality projects, as well as:
- "Nearly $383 million in emergency rental assistance to support low-income renters who have experienced financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic."
- "Nearly $317 million for road and bridge projects, of which about $238 million is for state projects and $79 million is for local ones."
- "Just over $250 million to improve high-speed broadband service in underserved areas."
- "$250 million to improve and maintain state parks, recreation areas, and state-designated trails around the state, plus another $200 million for local parks and trails in Detroit, Grand Rapids and northern Michigan."
Of the nearly $5 billion in total investment, the bill includes just $66.2 million for public transportation projects.
FULL STORY: Whitmer signs $4.7 billion bill to improve Michigan infrastructure, housing security
Quantifying the Impact of Pandemic Housing Assistance
The massive federal injection of funding into housing programs has had major impacts on many Americans’ ability to stay housed and out of debt, but fears loom as the end of some funding sources nears.
New Los Angeles Rent Relief Program Targets Pandemic Debt
The program prioritizes the lowest-income tenants who accrued debt during the early part of the pandemic.
Emergency Assistance Has Helped Renters, but Hurdles Remain
Research shows pandemic rent relief programs made a significant difference for struggling renters.
Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.
Alabama: Trump Terminates Settlements for Black Communities Harmed By Raw Sewage
Trump deemed the landmark civil rights agreement “illegal DEI and environmental justice policy.”
North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.
Nevada Bills Aim to Establish Home Insurance Assurance Amidst Wildfire Risk
Republican sponsor hopes the FAIR plan would be “a true market of last resort.”
Virginia Law Allows Judges to Mandate Speed Limiters
The law could set a new precedent for speed limiting tech on U.S. vehicles.
Comment: EPA Cuts will Send Atlanta Back to Eye-burning Ozone, Lung-damaging Smog, and Raw Sewage in the Chattahoochee River
A veteran political journalist takes stock of the hard-earned ground Georgia stands to lose with slashed environmental protection.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Santa Clarita
Ascent Environmental
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service