Democrats are proposing to use a portion of sales tax revenue to create a fund to fight crime in Michigan’s most violent communities.
The sponsors of the plan say the proliferation of guns, pandemic-related stress and a breakdown in relationships between police departments and the communities they serve all contributed to an increase in violent crime.
House Speaker Joe Tate says, if the plan is adopted, the funds would be distributed based on Michigan State Police crime statistics.
“These dollars will go directly to those communities experiencing the highest crime rates in our state.” said Tate.
The funds could pay for more community policing, mental health services and detectives to solve crimes. The money could not be used to backfill budget shortfalls.
