The following media statement should be attributed to Michigan Townships Association Executive Director Neil Sheridan in response to Gov. Whitmer’s Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Proposal, presented today: Gov. Whitmer’s historic budget proposal marks a much-needed recognition of the value and important role of our communities and the essential services they provide—particularly through the pandemic and beyond our recovery. With once-in-a-lifetime funding available, we are heartened to see proposed investments to safeguard, innovate and amplify public safety, the environment, infrastructure, the economy—and proposed increases and protections for revenue sharing. The proposed $50 million to ensure communities that lost population in the 2020 Census will not receive a retroactive hit to their constitutional revenue sharing is critical for continuity of local government operations and services. The proposed increase to City, Village and Township (statutory) revenue sharing reflects the largest investment in recent years, and is vital to those communities eligible for this funding. The fact remains, however, just 12% of Michigan’s townships receive CVTRS dollars, despite the fact that the 2020 Census showed townships continue to be home to increasing numbers of our state’s residents. We look forward to working with the governor and the Legislature on continuing the investment in Michigan’s local communities, and returning all communities to receive this critical funding to serve their residents.