The new Michigan state budget approved today by the State House of Representatives will expand a successful crime-reduction program into the community of Benton Harbor in the coming fiscal year, and that pleases the Appropriations Chair, State Representative Al Pscholka.
Pscholka says today, "Benton Harbor is listed among the top 10 small cities in the nation with the highest violent crime rate by the FBI's Uniform Crime Report. This program will help bring that rate under control, making it safer for hard-working taxpayers and their families."
The program Pscholka is referring to is the Secure Cities Partnership, "A tried and true partnership between the state and local law enforcement." The new omnibus budget for the coming fiscal year, which includes funding for all state departments, garnered bipartisan passage. Included in the budget is an increase in the Secure Cities Partnership, which will expand the program into Benton Harbor. It will also be offered in Hamtramck, Harper Woods, Highland Park, Inkster and Muskegon. That partnership has reduced violent crime in Detroit by 8.1-percent and in Flint, Saginaw and Pontiac in double digit percentages.
Pscholka is "eager to see the same drop in violent crime in Benton Harbor that we have seen in other communities throughout the state." He says the budget prioritizes spending for issues important to Michigan residents, including:
- Fixing the transportation system throughout the state;
- Increasing revenue sharing to local communities to fund police, fire and other vital services;
- Protecting the Great Lakes and Michigan’s other natural resources; and
- Funding the mental health and community health programs that keep families strong.
Pscholka says today, “We have worked hard to arrive at a responsible budget that makes the best use of the taxpayer money entrusted to the Legislature.' He concludes, “We’re on track to finalize a budget – including the school aid budget the House approved on Tuesday – four months ahead of the deadline for the sixth year in a row, removing the threat of government shutdowns that occurred during the Granholm administration.”
