Michigan House Passes $51B Omnibus Budget Bill Heading to Senate Vote

The Michigan House of Representatives passed a $51.8 billion general omnibus budget bill with a 101-8 vote, moving the bill to the Democratic-led Senate for approval before it reaches Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The budget plan, which excludes the yet-to-be-voted School Aid Fund expected to bring the total closer to $80 billion, includes significant spending cuts by eliminating around 2,000 unfilled positions and aims to increase transparency in government spending. Bipartisan agreement was highlighted by lawmakers who emphasized the budget's protection of Medicaid, SNAP funding, and a raise for State Police troopers, while also addressing road funding through a proposed 24% wholesale marijuana tax that remains contentious. House Republicans praised the budget for reducing waste and fraud, funding education at record levels, improving public safety, and reducing the state's overall budget size for the first time in years. The budget passed after a continuation budget was used to keep the government operational, and lawmakers face a deadline to avoid a government shutdown. The next budget item to be considered involves funding for free school lunch programs.