County sheriffs, small schools, local governments and other groups grappling with state funding cuts may have to wait several more weeks for Michigan leaders to resolve an ongoing budget dispute.
Michigan's spending
Posted inMichigan Government
Locals to Lansing: Get a budget deal, because cuts are getting real
While Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and GOP leaders squabble, budget vetoes are forcing cuts or other tough decisions for local governments, nonprofits and service entities that have already lost state funding — or will soon if state leaders do not resolve the dispute.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Gov. Whitmer to GOP: I’ll make a budget deal, but won’t cede powers
Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday offered Republican legislative leaders a series of bargaining concessions in an attempt to break an ongoing budget stalemate but made clear she will not sign away gubernatorial power.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Republicans say ‘the budget is done.’ Here’s what they really mean.
For weeks, GOP leaders have said the state budget is in place, even though $1 billion of their priorities were cut and negotiations continue with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. At the core of the standoff is broken trust and the GOP’s insistence on capping how much money the governor can shift from department budgets.
Posted inMichigan Government
Pure Michigan gets reprieve, but its future is cloudy amid budget showdown
Work on Pure Michigan tourism ads will continue through at least the end of the year after approval to use $740K to pay firms. Its long-term status remains shaky after a $37.5 million budget veto.
Posted inMichigan Government
How Michigan Republicans nearly gutted discrimination investigations
In an under-the-radar move, the GOP tried to shift $1.5 million from the Department of Civil Rights to three private museums. The move came as hate crimes are increasing.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Gov. Whitmer prioritizes Native American students in Michigan budget
With more than 147 line-item vetoes, the governor signaled a stark change from her earlier stance on a roads plan and other funding. However, her 2019-20 budget does reflect one of her campaign promises to Native American communities: a fully-funded tuition waiver program.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | We must work together to reverse Whitmer cuts to autism services
Two GOP representatives — also parents of children with special needs — say Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was wrong to use vulnerable residents as leverage in the road funding debate. They’ve introduced a plan that would restore funding for the autism services she cut from the budget.
Posted inMichigan Government
Plans for visitor center at Michigan Capitol downsized after Whitmer veto
A visitor center next to the state Capitol will be smaller after the first-term governor nixes an additional $15 million for the project.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Republicans want to rein in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget power
Republicans explore taking power away from Whitmer, as her Democratic allies submit bills to restore some unpopular budget cuts, including $1 million for an autism program and $34 million for rural hospitals.