State Budget

House Republicans muscled their Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget plan (HB 5619) through the chamber Wednesday night, marking the earliest that a first-run omnibus has passed the House in at least a decade. It follows a cycle in which the House's first budget bill wasn't passed until late summer.

A House subcommittee advanced a Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 spending bill on Tuesday that includes a $145.3 million fund for legislative “pork” projects known formally as the Legislative Spending Transparency Fund (LSTF).

The House higher education budget advancing out of the Appropriations Subcommittee Thursday morning would cut funding for Michigan State University and University of Michigan by roughly 63%, redirecting much of the savings toward student scholarship programs.

Facing a $1.8 billion budget hole going into Fiscal Year (FY) 2027, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposed on Wednesday an $88.1 billion spending plan based on roughly $800 million in tax increases, $630 million in cuts and $400 million from the rainy day fund.

The law the Republican-led House Appropriations Committee used to deny $645 million in carryover funding from the prior fiscal year through the "work project" process is unconstitutional, Attorney General Dana Nessel opined Wednesday.

Others may be waiting to see if Gov. Gretchen Whitmer attempts to legally challenge the law the House Appropriations Committee used to deny $644 million in work projects last week, but House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said Thursday he hasn't heard that the Governor is going to do anything to push back.

All the work project spending the House Republicans denied last week would be restored under legislation the Senate passed Tuesday evening, 23-15, with four Republican yes votes.

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) says House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) gave her a "sore loser vibe" after the House Appropriations Committee rejected "work project" dollars from Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. Legislative Democrats right now are using the recent headline to heavily target House Republicans.

As many as 163 community enhancement grants and infrastructure projects asked for by legislators last year were included in the $644.9 million in carryover programs and projects denied by House Republicans on Wednesday, including 20 asked for by seven Senate Republican members, according to a list obtained by MIRS.

(Source: MIRS.news , Published 11/5/2025) Michigan organizations that provide food assistance and early childhood education warn that the ongoing federal government shutdown is cutting off services for children and families, and could force more programs to close if funding is not restored soon.   During a virtual press conference Wednesday, leaders from early education programs and anti-poverty agencies said families are beginning to lose access to meals, childcare and class

Democrats Mobilize Around SNAP Funding 

FEMA Still Says No For Utility, Homeowner Relief For Ice Storm 

Hall Says Brinks Didn't Hold Up Her End Of The Deal On Transparency

Who Won The Attorney General Budget Battle?

Senate Approps Panel Passes House & Senate Earmark Request Bills

Whitmer, Hall & Construction Workers Do Ceremonial Roads Deal Signing

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 budget signed Tuesday includes 200 legislative earmarks valued at $275.4 million, far less than the $2 billion in special projects found in the FY 2024 budget when the state was awash with federal COVID spending. MIRS’ spreadsheet outlining all the projects can be found here.

Cannabis Association Files Suit Over ‘Unconstitutional Tax Scheme’

Speaker Had 'Some Conflict' With Governor But 'We Found Compromise'

After Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and lawmakers put the finishing touches on the new state budget in the wee small hours of this morning, the Governor was up early taking a virtual/zoom victory lap on all the major TV stations in the state.