Great Lakes Wire

Public safety tops Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's budget proposal for the next fiscal year.

"As a former prosecutor, public safety is a core issue for Governor Whitmer," her office said in a news release." She wants to fund local law enforcement and first responders so families can feel safe on the road, in their communities, and at home."

The budget proposal calls for more funding to help hire police officers, firefighters, emergency medical service employees and other first responders, Whitmer's office said.

The proposal would allocate $30 million to pay law enforcement and public safety personnel, Whitmer's office said. That would be combined with $20 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for a total of $50 million, the governor said.

"Support for strong and safe communities is also provided in the budget through local revenue sharing, providing funding for local communities to hire and retain law enforcement personnel and provide for other local funding needs," the governor's office said.

Whitmer is also calling for a campaign to recruit more first responders and Michigan state troopers, Whitmer's office said.

This is Whitmer's fourth executive budget recommendation as governor. It "puts Michiganders first and delivers on the issues that matter most to Michigan families," the governor's office said.