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House subcommittee hears score of one‑time funding requests for homelessness, housing, health and workforce programs
Summary
The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity heard presentations on a wide range of one‑time LDSI funding requests from community groups asking for support for parks, home repairs, food access, recovery programs, mental‑health crisis care, violence‑interruption and workforce training. Lawmakers pressed presenters on budgets, sustainability and other funding sources; no formal votes were held.
LANSING — Lawmakers on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor and Economic Opportunity heard more than two dozen funding pitches from community groups on March 17, as nonprofit leaders asked the panel to include one‑time appropriations in the 2026‑27 budget.
The requests ranged from $500,000 to refurbish Orchard Park in Battle Creek to a $3 million ask to complete crisis residential units at a mental‑health center in northern Michigan. Presenters described projects that would pay for physical upgrades — grading, court resurfacing, new refrigeration and cold storage — as well as service expansions such as 12‑month residential recovery programs, expanded sexual assault nurse examiner coverage and a violence‑interruption fellowship.
Rep. Jenkins Arno opened the meeting by confirming a quorum and approving the minutes from the March 11 session. The committee then moved through a packed agenda of Legislative DHS Initiative (LDSI) requests and partner presentations.
Bishop Dr. Tino Smith, founder of Kingdom International, asked for $500,000 to “revitalize and redevelop Orchard Park” in Bedford Township with site…
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