LANSING, Mich. - Today Senate Democrats voted to pass stimulus supplemental funds made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The supplemental matches the State Budget Office’s request of $218.1 million and now heads to the House of Representatives for concurrence.

“At a time when Michigan is particularly vulnerable, these stimulus funds will give our state the boost it needs,” said Senate Democratic Leader Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming). “Renewable energy is a booming industry in our state and with these grants and increased education, we can become a leader in advanced manufacturing by encouraging energy efficiency and building wind turbines and solar panels.”

The supplemental stimulus will include funds for the following:

• The Department of Education will be receiving $24.5 million for educational technology grants, with all the money to be distributed under the Enhancing Education Through Technology portion of the No Child Left Behind Act.

• The Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Development will receive a total of $193.1 million, with $82.1 million going towards the state energy program for energy efficiency and renewable energy opportunities for state buildings, energy audits or homes and businesses.

• The Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant program will receive $26.6 million for energy efficiency projects that reduce energy and fossil fuel consumption.

• The Unemployment Insurance Agency will receive $84.4 million to modernize their system through information technology upgrades to keep up with the growing demand.

• The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will receive $457,100 for a fire suppression system in the McLeish Building at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans.

“These stimulus funds will help educate our future workers, support those who are currently unemployed, and put our citizens back on the job through energy efficiency projects, which is exactly what our state needs,” said Senator Glenn S. Anderson, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee. “As we continue to work to fix Michigan’s current budget crisis, these federal funds will help support initiatives that will boost Michigan’s economy in the long run.”

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