Snyder seeks $372M to hire caseworkers, combat tainted water

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is seeking a final $372 million budget bill before he leaves office, proposing to spend more on addressing water contamination and hiring 246 additional children's protective services caseworkers following a scathing audit.

The state budget office made its request public late Tuesday, about a week after it was sent to lawmakers. The Snyder administration says tax collections are up due to the economy.

The proposal would factor in deals reached as part of the budget Snyder signed in June, but it also would include new spending.

The outgoing Republican governor wants the GOP-controlled Legislature to allocate $160 million for savings, $43 million to address perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances that have tainted drinking water and $31 million to improve child protection — among other things.

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