(LANSING) – State Senator Kim LaSata voted Tuesday to approve the balanced fiscal year 2022 budget.

LaSata says this budget outlines and funds many of the State's important priorities and does so without raising taxes on hardworking Michigan families. Building on the record K-12 funding passed earlier this summer, LaSata says they are working to continue to emerge from the pandemic, getting people back to work and improving government efficiency.

Among the things that Senate Bill 82 will do is make $190 million available to repair or replace local bridges; it will put $40 million into the Going Pro program to support employee training and have $55 million for the Michigan Reconnect program to provide tuition-free community college and training for residents.

The budget also includes funding to support the St. Joseph County United Way's suicide prevention programming.

The plan will also deposit $500 million in the State’s savings account and $150 million in the unemployment trust fund to assist with record caseloads experienced during COVID-19.

The Senate is expected to approve House Bill 4400 on Wednesday, which includes increases for community colleges and public universities, and would build on the already signed K-12 budget to reduce school unfunded liabilities.