Blog categorized as Budget

If another economic development opportunity arises and state revenue is needed to seal the deal, what will the state do after spending nearly all its $9 billion surplus in the most recent budget?

Approximately 65% of the $1.3 billion in what the Citizens Research Council (CRC) recognized as sponsored special projects in the Fiscal Year 2024 omnibus budget bill were "eleventh-hour earmarks" appearing only in the final version, the non-profit research association reported.

Along with several boilerplate cuts included in her veto letter to the state House, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed a $2 million community enhancement grant to the Livingston County Catholic Charities, which Executive Director Adam Perry said was intended for purchasing a new property.

Dozens of hours of MIRS research discovered more than $2.06 billion in next year's state budget dedicated to special projects that exclusively benefit a specific area or group, spending defined by some as "pork." The spreadsheet can be found here.

Total collections on the state’s major taxes during the month of June came out to $2.974 billion – down $93.6 million from June of 2022.