This week, the Michigan Senate passed legislation creating a state budget for the upcoming 2025-2026 Fiscal Year. The passage follows two days of debate on the Senate floor and dozens of amendments offered by Republican members, none of which were adopted. The total budget is around $1 billion more than Governor Whitmer proposed in her executive recommendations presented earlier this year.
The budget includes:
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- An increase in per-pupil funding, bringing the total to $10,008.
- $350 million for student mental health and school safety.
- Funding to continue providing universal access to free breakfast and lunch for all public school students.
- Targeted funding for local infrastructure, public health, and public safety.
- Resources for job training, upskilling programs, and small business support.
- Investments to safeguard Michigan’s land, water, and climate.
- Funding to help seniors and veterans access care and services.
Next Steps:
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- The House will continue to work on its version of the state budget.
- Once the House passes its budget, conference committees will be named, and members of both chambers and parties will work together to find a compromise version of the budget that can pass both chambers.
- Additionally, they will continue to work with the executive office, as Governor Whitmer’s signature will be needed for the budget to take effect.
- While in past years the goal was to finish by the end of June, the House isn’t pushing for that. However, a budget must be in place by the end of September, or the state government will shut down.
