Michigan Budget

The governor is expected to announce a plan to spend $160 million in the state budget to offer free school breakfast and lunch to all Michigan students.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed the first public act of the new year Tuesday — a $1.1 billion spending bill that includes money for housing and assistance for businesses that suffered losses due to COVID-19.

A dustup in the Michigan House of Representatives over a spending dispute has pushed the chair of the House appropriations committee to step down from his position.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was in Detroit Wednesday to sign the final bill in the new state budget. She also made some line-item vetoes that highlight differences with Republican leaders on abortion.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed multiple bills Tuesday adopted with Republican and Democratic support.

The vetoes include money for marketing for adoption programs, tax credits for adoptive parents and health centers that advocate against abortion.

The Legislature is on a three-week summer recess after finalizing budget bills and sending them to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk. But that was just round one of state budget negotiations.

The Michigan Legislature wrapped up work on budget bills in a session that lasted into the early morning hours Friday. But another round of spending plans is still needed, because the state still has billions of dollars in the bank.

The roughly $77 billion plan includes a $54.8 billion for state departments as well as a combined $22.1 billion for school aid, community colleges, and public universities.

The Republican-controlled Michigan House rejected several efforts Thursday to soften the impact on abortion rights if Roe v. Wade is reversed.