Michigan's spending

From ditching electric vehicle rebates to expanding preschool access statewide — a look inside Michigan’s newly signed $83 billion budget.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says the new state budget will mean an average $400 per pupil increase for Michigan schools. Education leaders say it’s a little more complicated.

Democratic lawmakers are steering money to school districts in their districts for special projects that few knew about until hours before the vote.

Michigan’s new education budget includes $25 million in dedicated funding for student mental health and school safety — but that’s $301.5 million less than last year.

From zoos to sports parks, see what special projects Michigan lawmakers funded with earmarks in the state budget.

Michigan lawmakers unveiled the $82.5 billion spending plan after midnight and gave final approval around 4:45 a.m.

Michigan Democrats cap a 19-hour marathon session with approval of an education budget they say will put money back into classrooms. Some school groups opposed the plan, along with all Republicans.

Will Michigan leaders pass an education budget deal Wednesday? School groups say a budget deal will harm schools and lead to layoffs.

Michigan lawmakers are preparing for a lengthy session Wednesday and aim to finalize the state budget in addition to other policy priorities. There's still a lot to work though.

Should $670 million in retiree health care savings go directly to schools, teachers or the state? A disagreement among Democrats has slowed a Michigan budget deal as lawmakers prepare for summer recess.

The attorney general office calls for changes to a process that has awarded $2 billion in pet projects in recent years. Some are under investigation, including a $25 million grant for a health campus in Clare that was championed by a former House speaker and went to a former aide.

A Macomb County developer who secured a $5 million budget earmark quickly became one of the state’s top political donors. It’s the latest incident to prompt questions about Michigan’s appropriations process.

New projections show tax revenues and the economy are stabilizing as Gov. Whitmer, legislators work to finalize an $80 billion spending plan.

The Democrat came into office criticizing lawmakers’ pet projects. Buoyed by a federal windfall, she and fellow lawmakers — including Republicans — have learned to love them.

Should a tax cut that Democratic officials declared temporary actually be permanent? Conservative groups are suing to find out.

The state is experimenting with guaranteed income, investing $16.5M in a program launched by a foundation. Studies say such programs can lift people out of poverty, but others question state expense.

The governor signs a record budget that includes new money for business incentives, affordable housing, public safety — and plenty of ‘pork.’ Here’s what you need to know.

Flush with federal cash, Michigan and its largest communities have announced nearly 900 separate projects that do far more than simply help them recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Michigan Senate unanimously approved a plan to offer grants for getting trains out of the way of road traffic. Some lawmakers believe there’s more to be done.

For the third time in five years, Michigan legislators have agreed on a package of grants that includes millions to help develop a commercial and residential project by a private real estate company tied to Robert Schostak, the former state GOP chairman.