It’s budget season in Lansing. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has introduced her recommendation for the 2023 state budget. The budget was introduced to both chambers of the legislature on Wednesday morning. The budget has to be approved by June 30th.

State Budget Director Christopher Harkins said, “This is a fiscally responsible budget that provides the type of investments that will move Michigan forward, with very strong support for our schools and for our economy. “

The budget totals $74.1 billion, with a general fund total of $14.3 billion and school aid totaling $18.4 billion. Much of the budget is one-time funding but does not utilize one-time funds for ongoing purposes, according to the governor’s office.

The budget recommends heavy investment into education, with a 5% increase in per-pupil funding. To address forecasted educator shortages, significant money is budgeted for teacher recruitment and retention.

There are also major investments in the budget for workforce training, public health, infrastructure, and public safety.

A link to the budget proposal can be found below.

www.michigan.gov/budget

Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland

Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Center (BWROC) started its recovery support program in a local church and funded its mission with pop can drives. Just a few years later, the organization has its own bustling recovery center on 10th Street in Port Huron and is planning improvements with a $415,000 grant from the City of Port Huron.

The Port Huron City Council approved the funding at the end of January after City Manager James Freed reached out to Executive Director of BWROC Patrick Patterson and requested a proposal for how they could utilize funding from the city.

Freed said, “Programs that offer services to mitigate the effects of substance use disorder in our community are eligible for American Rescue Plan Funding.” The American Rescue Plan is President Biden’s plan to provide economic relief to families and communities affected by COVID-19.

Patrick Patterson, Executive Director for BWROC, presented the city council with a proposal that included building updates, technology upgrades, and funds the salary of two Recovery Coaches for the next three years.

Recovery Coaches for BWROC are all certified Peer Recovery Coaches and life coaches. They are in recovery themselves and must have at least 2 years of continuous sobriety. Recovery Coaches meet individually with those in recovery and provide guidance and support along with help navigating available resources in the community.

BWROC’s vision is to be the hub of recovery in the heart of the community, and their volunteers and staff make activities and community service a priority. According to their grant proposal, “Every dollar spent on drug treatment yields a return of 4 to 7 dollars because of reduced crime rates and reduced costs for the criminal justice system. If savings for the health care system are also included, total savings exceed a ratio of 12:1.”

According to Patterson, the grant to BWROC is the largest amount a Recovery Community Organization (RCO) has ever received from a municipality in the State of Michigan.

“People who dealt with this in silence now have a voice. We are honored the City supports the work we are doing and grateful to our City Council, Mayor Pauline Repp, City Manager James Freed and all the community leaders for coming behind us,” said Patterson.

To learn more about Blue Water Recovery and Outreach Center, visit their website here:

https://www.bwroc.org/

Join me for a video visit to BWROC to learn more here: https://fb.watch/b5792_nOlM/

Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand

 

 

 

The St. Clair County Drug Task Force released their drug crime map for 2021 which enables citizens to see where in the county illicit drug activity took place.

The map, available <HERE>, has a zoom feature that focuses in on streets and neighborhoods, allowing users to see drug activity in their neighborhoods. More information about the crimes is available, by clicking on the map markers.

Sheriff Mat King said, ““Even as the Covid-19 pandemic continued throughout last year, the Drug Task Force continued to bring drug dealers to justice. Getting drugs and weapons off the streets of our community helps to make St. Clair County a great place to visit, live and raise a family.”

King encourages citizens to help get drugs off the street by contacting the Drug Task Force if they notice illegal narcotic activity.

Anonymous tips can be left for law enforcement at (800) 243-DRUG

Submitted by the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office