Lansing, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) launched a new program today to aid homeowners with additional financial support to help Michiganders pay their bills and stay in their homes.

The Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) uses federal resources allocated under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to provide financial assistance to homeowners who have fallen behind on homeownership-related expenses. The MIHAF program can help with delinquent mortgage, property tax and/or condominium payments, payment of escrow shortages, and past due utilities payments, including gas, water, electric, and internet or broadband.

“Over the years, we’ve made great strides to keep families in their homes, and this additional financial support will build on our efforts that put Michiganders first,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The program offers homeowners much-needed relief to help them overcome those financial obstacles while also providing a strong degree of housing security – a vital measure that can positively impact every part of our lives.”

The U.S. Treasury allocated a total of $242,812,277 to Michigan for the MIHAF program, which MSHDA anticipates will help more than 8,300 homeowners across the state. Half of the funds have been allocated by the state Legislature, and the remaining approximately $121 million must be approved at a later date.

“The MIHAF program will ensure thousands of Michigan homeowners avoid the personal devastation of foreclosure while also helping communities across Michigan reduce the secondary impacts foreclosures can have on neighborhoods, local governments, and social services networks,” said Mary Townley, MSHDA’s director of homeownership. “We are grateful to Governor Whitmer for putting Michigan first and providing this critical support.”

To qualify for MIHAF, applicants must have experienced a qualified financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic after January 21, 2020, or had a qualified hardship that began before January 21, 2020, but continued after that date, meet income eligibility requirements, and the property must be owner-occupied. The maximum amount of assistance available through MIHAF per household is $25,000.

Interested homeowners can find details and a link to the application portal at Michigan.gov/MIHAF

or receive assistance with their application submission by calling 844-756-4423.

About MSHDA: The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), established in 1966, provides financial and technical assistance through public and private partnerships to create and preserve safe and decent affordable housing, engage in community economic development activities, develop vibrant cities, towns and villages, and address homeless issues.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 14, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Announces Record-Breaking $1.419 Billion Investment in Michigan Schools from Michigan Lottery Funding

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Whitmer today announced the Michigan Lottery contributed a record-breaking $1.419 billion to the School Aid Fund in fiscal year 2021, shattering its previous record set last year by nearly $240 million. This is the third consecutive year the Lottery has contributed more than $1 billion to the fund, and the Lottery’s seventh consecutive record contribution.

“When Michiganders play to win, our students and schools win too,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “The Michigan Lottery’s record contribution to the School Aid Fund helps us keep kids safe and learning in-person, delivers critical funding to support K-12 programs, and ensures every family has access to a high-quality, public education. The Lottery’s record-setting performance over the last seven years has helped us put Michigan students first. Together, we have closed the funding gap between schools, raised per-student funding, and improved school facilities, all without raising taxes. I am grateful to everyone who has made this substantial investment in our kids possible.”

Since the record-breaking streak began in FY15, the Lottery’s contribution to the School Aid Fund has increased 78.5%.

Lottery contributions to the School Aid Fund over the prior six years were:

• FY20: $1.179 billion
• FY19: $1.070 billion
• FY18:  $941.2 million
• FY17:  $924.1 million
• FY16:  $888.9 million
• FY15:  $795.5 million

Lottery retailers received a record $370.9 million in commissions in FY21, up more than 82% from $203.6 million in FY15. The average payment to retailers in FY21 as a percentage of sales was 7.4%, including commissions, incentives, and bonuses. Lottery products are sold at more than 10,000 locations across Michigan, ranging in size from independently-owned businesses to large chains. In FY21, 925 retailers sold $1 million or more in Lottery games.

“Lottery purchases help support Michigan schools and businesses,” said Lottery Commissioner, Brian O. Neill.  “These incredible results would not be possible without our players, retailers, vendors, the dedicated team at Lottery, and support across state government.”

Other records set by the Lottery in the FY21 include more than $5 billion in sales and more than $3.1 billion in prizes to players. Record sales in FY21 were driven in large part by instant games, a $1 billion Mega Millions jackpot, and the Lottery’s internet platform.

Since it began in 1972, the Lottery has raised more than $26 billion for public education in Michigan. Approximately $7.2 billion, or 28%, of that amount was raised over the last seven record-breaking years.

The Lottery is also committed to promoting responsible gaming. Michigan was the first state lottery to receive certification of its online program through the National Council on Problem Gambling and has also attained Responsible Gaming Verification through the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries. Responsible gaming information and resources are available on the Lottery’s website at: www.michiganlottery.com/responsible-gaming.

For each dollar spent on a Michigan Lottery ticket in FY21, approximately:

• 61 cents went to players as prizes
• 28 cents went to the School Aid Fund to support public education
• 9 cents went to commissions for retailers and vendors
• 2 cents funded the Lottery’s operations and administrative costs

Under state law, all profits from the Lottery go to the School Aid Fund.

All FY21 numbers are preliminary and unaudited.

More than 97 cents of every dollar spent on Lottery tickets is returned to the state in the form of contributions to the state School Aid Fund, prizes to players and commissions to vendors and retailers. In the 2021 fiscal year, the Lottery provided more than $1.419 billion for Michigan’s public schools, its seventh record contribution in a row. Since it began in 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $26 billion to support public education in Michigan. For additional information, follow the Michigan Lottery on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and online at www.michiganlottery.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 

February 10, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer Announces Michigan Will Receive $110 Million

to Expand Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure

LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer today announced that the State of Michigan is expected to receive $110 million over 5 years in formula funding to support the expansion of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, made possible by passage of the federal bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration will invest $5 billion in formula funding across the country to build the first-ever national network of EV chargers.

“Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Michigan is expected to receive $110 million over 5 years in formula funding to build up electric vehicle charging infrastructure and help the state continue leading the future of mobility and electrification,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “We have a historic opportunity to put Michigan first and use the billions in funding we are expected to receive to support thousands of good-paying clean energy jobs, make electric vehicles more accessible and affordable and usher in a new era of prosperity for our state. And make no mistake, we plan to go after every competitive grant we can to ensure Michigan remains at the forefront of EV infrastructure and manufacturing.”

“The federal support for electric vehicles comes at a very good time for Michigan as our department works with other state agencies and private-sector interests to develop a charging network with neighboring states through the Lake Michigan EV Circuit,” said Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Director Paul C. Ajegba. “Even more exciting, this comes on the heels of the governor’s announcement of an MDOT partnership with Electreon to deploy wireless charging on a state route.”

“Here in Michigan, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to advance the state’s automotive and technology landscape in a way that improves the quality of life for all Michiganders. These federal dollars will be critical in allowing us to continuing building out our charging infrastructure, attracting new businesses building that infrastructure, and preparing our workforce for an increasingly electrified mobility future,” said Trevor Pawl, Chief Mobility Officer, State of Michigan. “By working together with our public and private partners, Michigan will continue setting course for manufacturing the vehicles of the future while deploying solutions like these that make EV adoption more widely available for all.”

 “This is a historic investment in the future of mobility in Michigan,” said Jane McCurry, Executive Director at Clean Fuels Michigan. “Clean Fuels Michigan has been working hard to ensure that Michigan meets this unique moment by taking full advantage of federal investments in an electric vehicle charging network that not only provides cleaner air and water but creates jobs and continues our legacy as the home of automotive innovation. Our member companies from across the EV industry stand ready to support Michigan’s network of electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

 “The new EV charging infrastructure funds Michigan will receive create a big opportunity for our state to accelerate the EV market, providing assurance to car buyers that they will have access to charging stations to get around the state,” said Charles Griffith, Climate and Energy Program Director at the Ecology Center and co-chair of the Transportation Workgroup of the Council on Climate Solutions. “Since EVs significantly reduce carbon emissions and other pollutants contributing to climate change and poor air quality more charging infrastructure will make it easier to meet the Governor’s bold climate goals.”

Governor Whitmer previously issued an Executive Directive to state departments and agencies to collaborate with the legislature and ready the state to build up electric vehicle charging infrastructure and create good-paying clean energy jobs. The state will work to save drivers time and money, continue leading the future of mobility and electrification, and bolster the economy by investing in jobs and products to support the state’s automotive industry.

Michigan will receive $16,290,764 in its first tranche of funding for Fiscal Year 2022. The National Electric Vehicle Charging Formula Program ($5 billion) and Grant Program ($2.5 billion) provides a total of $7.5 billion to states to procure and install electric vehicle chargers, with the goal of building a national network of electric vehicle chargers and to support charging in communities where people live, work, and shop. The Formula Program targets charging along corridors and Interstates whereas the Grant Program will invest in communities to support innovative approaches that ensure charger deployment reaches rural, disadvantaged, and other hard-to-reach communities.  The official Formula Program Guidance can be found here.

Funding amounts by state for the $5 billion Formula Program investment can be found in the Department of Transportation’s state-by-state fact sheets here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 10, 2022

Contact: [email protected]

Governor Whitmer’s FY23 Budget: Reliable Roads, Bridges, Pipes, and More for Every Community

Governor Gretchen Whitmer released her fourth executive budget recommendation that puts Michiganders first and delivers on the issues that matter most to Michigan families.

Here’s what the budget has for Michigan’s infrastructure.

Vision

Since Governor Whitmer took office, Michigan has repaired, replaced, or rebuilt over 13,000 lane miles of road and over 900 bridges, supporting nearly 82,000 jobs. This budget proposal builds on that progress, surging resources to fix local roads with the right mix and materials, creating good-paying jobs along the way, and helping families stay safe on the road. It also improves Michigan’s parks and makes big investments in water infrastructure to protect safe drinking water and keep roads clear from floods.

Investments

• $6.3 billion to fix state and local roads, bridges, airports, transit, and rail programs with the right mix and materials, supporting tens of thousands of good-paying jobs along the way.
• Installing generators at water pumping stations to keep roads and highways clear during storms.
• Installing more electric vehicle chargers across the state.
• Clean up contaminated sites in communities historically impacted by industrial runoff and construction.
• Help Michiganders make clean energy improvements to their homes, saving them money and protecting our clean air and water.

The Infrastructure one pager can be found here

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

February 10, 2022

Contact: [email protected]   

Governor Whitmer Lowers Flags in Honor of Captain Collin Birnie

LANSING, Mich. – Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags within the State Capitol Complex and upon all public buildings and grounds across the state of Michigan to be lowered to half-staff on Friday, February 11, 2022 in honor of Flint Police Captain Collin Birnie who passed away in the line of duty . The flag-lowering will coincide with the date of his funeral.

“I want to offer my condolences to Captain Collin Birnie’s family, friends, and fellow officers. The state of Michigan is grateful for his decades of service and bravery,” said Governor Whitmer. “As we honor Captain Birnie’s service to the Flint community, my heart goes out to all those who knew him. We will work together to honor his legacy by continuing to have our law enforcement officers’ backs and making investments to protect public safety.”

Captain Collin Birnie served with the Flint Police Department for 26 years.

The State of Michigan recognizes the duty, honor, and selfless service of Captain Collin Birnie by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments, and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.

To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.

Flags should be returned to full staff on Saturday, February 12, 2022.