Budget
Spending, revenue, and the fiscal choices made in Lansing.
34 stories
- budget
Grand Rapids Senator Winnie Brinks Pushes July 1 Budget Deadline as Michigan Lawmakers Clash Over Rainy Day Fund
Grand Rapids Senator Winnie Brinks says passing Michigan's budget by July 1 must be the Legislature's top priority. House Speaker Matt Hall opposes drawing from the rainy day fund. The state missed the deadline last year.
June 2, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - budget
Warren Families Face Uncertainty as Michigan Leaders Clash Over Budget at Mackinac: Tax Increases, Rainy Day Fund, and Property Taxes in Dispute
Michigan's legislative leaders clashed publicly at the Mackinac Policy Conference over the state budget, with House Speaker Matt Hall rejecting Democratic proposals for tax increases and rainy day fund use. Warren residents face uncertainty as the July 1 deadline approaches.
June 1, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - budget
Ann Arbor Organizations Win Relief as Michigan House Settles $370 Million Work Project Dispute
The Michigan House and 31 state agencies settled a dispute over $370 million in work project funding. The agreement ends a months-long legal battle that began when House Republicans cancelled $645 million in grants last December.
May 27, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - budget
Michigan House Budget Would Shift Childcare Billing From Enrollment to Attendance, Putting Muskegon Families at Risk
The Michigan House budget would shift childcare subsidy billing from enrollment to attendance. Providers warn the change could cost Muskegon and rural families $50 to $100 a month and push children out of subsidized care.
May 25, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - budget
Saginaw Transit Faces 6% Cut If Michigan Legislature Does Not Increase State Bus Funding
Saginaw Transit Authority faces a potential 6% budget cut if the Michigan Legislature does not increase its proposed funding for public bus services. Advocates are pushing for $330 million in state bus funding, but the House has offered $25 million less than the Senate proposal.
May 19, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - budget
American Center for Mobility Faces $35 Million Debt Repayment Demand From Michigan
Michigan is demanding annual payments of $1.62 million from the American Center for Mobility, a nonprofit self-driving auto test facility. The state has invested $35 million in the facility and wants repayment, but advocates say the nonprofit was never meant to repay startup costs.
May 12, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - budget
Traverse City Commissioners Approve Performing Arts Venue Negotiations, Farmers Market Pavilion Construction
Traverse City commissioners approved contract negotiations with Studio Anatomy LLC for a performing arts venue in the Bijou by the Bay building and a $3.7 million farmers market pavilion despite zoning questions raised by two commissioners.
May 7, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - budget
Michigan Senate Passes $88 Billion Budget Proposal, Creating $12 Billion Gap With House
Michigan Senate approved an $88.1 billion budget proposal for fiscal year 2027, creating a $12 billion spending gap with the House plan as lawmakers navigate federal cuts and prepare for negotiations.
May 2, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - budget
Jackson County Voters Decide on $3.9M Hanover-Horton School Bond in May 5 Election
The Hanover-Horton School District in Jackson and Hillsdale Counties is asking voters to approve a $3.9 million bond in the May 5 election to replace aging boilers and roofing at district schools. The district says the bond would not increase taxes and would be paid over 25 years.
April 29, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - budget
Michigan Kicks Off 2026 Construction Season With Nearly $2 Billion Road Funding Investment
Governor Gretchen Whitmer kicked off the 2026 road construction season with a nearly $2 billion investment in state and local roads, creating thousands of jobs and improving infrastructure across Michigan.
April 27, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - budget
Michigan House Passes $75.8 Billion Budget Proposal, Senate Moves Toward Vote
Michigan House passes $75.8 billion budget proposal with cuts to state departments, Senate moves toward vote on Democratic plan
April 24, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - budget
Michigan Legislature Starts 2027 Budget Process as Lawmakers Aim to Pass Plan by July 1 Deadline
Michigan House and Senate have begun advancing 2027 budget bills as lawmakers attempt to meet the July 1 deadline and avoid repeating last year's budget standoff.
April 23, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - budget
Michigan Warns of Medicaid, SNAP Coverage Losses Without $30 Million Workforce Funding
State officials warn that hundreds of thousands of Michiganders could lose Medicaid and SNAP coverage without $30 million in workforce funding to handle federal work requirements.
April 22, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - budget
Whitmer Asked for Help as Genesee County Prosecutor's Office Faces 21 Layoffs
State Sen. John Cherry asked Governor Whitmer for work project funds to prevent 21 layoffs in Genesee County Prosecutor's Office as High-Crime Community Support Grant funding runs dry.
April 18, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - budget
Four Michigan Legislators Seek Over $6.7 Million in Arts Earmarks for 2027 State Budget
Four Michigan House members seek over $6.7 million in taxpayer funding for orchestras and theater projects in the 2027 state budget proposal, raising questions about earmarks and constitutional requirements.
April 14, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - budget
Michigan Lawmakers Seek Millions for Theaters and Orchestras as Budget Earmarks Draw Scrutiny
Four Michigan House members are seeking $6.7 million for theaters and orchestras as the 2027 budget draws scrutiny over earmarks targeting specific organizations.
April 13, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - budget
Michigan Budget Director Tours Food Bank as Governor's $88.1 Billion Proposal Faces Deficit Challenges
Michigan State Budget Director Jen Flood tours Kalamazoo food bank as governor's $88.1 billion budget proposal faces $1 billion revenue shortfall and federal SNAP pressure
April 9, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - budget
Michigan Budget Director Tours Food Bank as State Faces $1 Billion Revenue Drop Amid Federal SNAP Pressures
Michigan Budget Director Jen Flood visits a Kalamazoo food bank as the state navigates a $1 billion revenue decline and federal SNAP pressures, while political divisions over the budget persist.
April 9, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - budget
Michigan Prison Education Programs Hit Record Enrollment as State Budget Expands Vocational Training
Michigan prisons see record enrollment in education and job training programs as state budget expansion and Pell Grant restoration enable postsecondary credentials for inmates across 26 facilities.
April 8, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - budget
Where Did Michigan's $9 Billion Surplus Go? State Spending Priorities Over Three Decades
Analysis of where Michigan's $9 billion surplus went over three decades reveals significant increases in spending on schools, Medicaid, roads, and business subsidies, with questionable returns on investment.
April 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - budget
Michigan's $9 Billion Surplus Spent: Was It Worth the Cost to the State?
Michigan lawmakers spent $9 billion in surplus funds since 2023, with schools receiving the biggest boost ($5.8 billion), followed by Medicaid ($3.8 billion increase in state spending) and roads ($1.9 billion increase). Critics question whether the spending is delivering value, noting that education quality still lags behind other states and pork spending remains high.
April 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - budget
MPSC Releases 2025 Annual Report Highlighting Grid Improvements and Data Center Consumer Protections
MPSC's 2025 Annual Report shows Michigan leading the nation in grid reliability improvements while enacting strong consumer protections against data center costs.
April 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - budget
Fact Check: Perry Johnson's Tax Cut Promise Overstates Savings While Michigan Budget Struggles
Fact check reveals Perry Johnson's $4,747 tax cut promise is misleading, while Michigan faces real budget challenges with schools, Medicaid, and infrastructure spending at historic levels.
April 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - budget
Michigan's $9 Billion Surplus Spent on Schools, Roads, Medicaid as Lawmakers Debate Budget Priorities
Michigan's $9 billion surplus from 2023 was spent on schools, roads, Medicaid, and other priorities as lawmakers debate whether the investment delivered value to Michigan residents.
April 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - budget
Michigan Budget Response to Federal Medicaid Changes Raises Concerns Over Coverage Losses
Michigan prepares to implement federal Medicaid work requirements in 2027, with state officials warning between 171,000 and 355,000 Michiganders could lose coverage. Governor Whitmer's budget includes new funding and revenue sources to protect access to care while complying with federal requirements.
April 5, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - budget
Michigan's $9 Billion Surplus: Where Did the Money Go and Was It Worth It?
Michigan lawmakers spent $9 billion in surplus funds over the past several years, with schools receiving the biggest share. But critics question whether the spending delivered value, noting Michigan still lags behind other states in education quality despite massive investment.
April 5, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - budget
State Senator McMorrow's Budget Claims Don't Align With Michigan's Actual Numbers
State Senator Mallory McMorrow has made claims about Michigan's budget that don't align with actual numbers, according to analysis from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
April 4, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - budget
Michigan State Senator's Budget Claims Contradict Fiscal Experts on Revenue Growth
State Sen. Mallory McMorrow made controversial claims about Michigan's population growth and state revenue that conflict with data from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, which shows state revenue per person has increased dramatically since 1968.
April 4, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - budget
Where Did Michigan's $9 Billion Surplus Go? Heavy Spending Gets Paltry Return
Michigan lawmakers had $9 billion in surplus funds in 2023 but spent it all on schools, Medicaid, roads, and business subsidies—with questionable returns on many investments.
April 3, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - budget
MPSC Approves 1.3 GW Battery Storage Portfolio for DTE Electric, Including 332 MW Supporting Oracle Data Center
MPSC approves 1.3 GW battery storage portfolio for DTE Electric, including 332 MW supporting Oracle's AI data center. Attorney General's challenge to data center contracts denied.
April 2, 2026·Michigan Capitol·6 sources - budget
Michigan 2026 Budget Approved with Vacant Job Cuts, Marijuana Tax Hike, and Road Funding Boost
Michigan approves $81B budget with vacant job cuts, new marijuana tax, and road funding boosts after missing July deadline
April 1, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - budget
Michigan 2027 Budget Braces for Federal Work Requirements and Road Funding Challenges
Michigan Legislature begins 2027 budget process amid new federal work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP that will require $94.3 million in additional state funding and 589 new staff positions
April 1, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - budget
Michigan Legislature Braces for 2027 Budget Fight Over Federal Work Requirements and Road Funding
Governor Whitmer's $88.1 billion FY27 budget proposal faces intense scrutiny as lawmakers debate federal work requirements, road funding priorities, and education spending amid partisan divisions in the Legislature
April 1, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - budget
Michigan Legislature Begins 2027 Budget Process With Education Spending and Federal Work Requirement Challenges
Michigan Legislature begins 2027 budget process with Governor Whitmer's $88.1B proposal including $21.4B in school aid, $625M literacy investment, and $181M Pre-K expansion amid federal work requirement challenges and Republican opposition to tax increases.
March 31, 2026·Michigan Capitol·10 sources