Michigan Legislature Passes $76B Budget Prioritizing Roads, Education, Prison Staff Pay

Michigan lawmakers worked through the night to finalize the 2026 state budget, which totals about $81 billion and includes a significant $1.1 billion annual increase in funding for road and bridge repairs. A key component of the budget is a newly passed 24% wholesale tax on marijuana, projected to generate approximately $420 million for infrastructure projects. The education budget allocates nearly $21.3 billion to K-12 schools, raising per-pupil spending by roughly $450 and continuing free breakfast and lunch programs championed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The Corrections Department budget includes pay raises for corrections officers to address staffing shortages. The budget passed the Michigan House with strong bipartisan support and was advancing through the Senate, with the marijuana tax needing Senate approval first as it is essential to funding the road repairs. Lawmakers emphasized the budget as a collaborative effort reflecting Michigan's priorities, despite challenges and previous missed deadlines.