Photo: Ryan Garza ~ USA TODAY NETWORK
LANSING, Aug. 26, 2025 ~ Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is commenting on the Michigan Legislature being stuck in negotiations around the next fiscal year budget.
State lawmakers have until midnight Sept. 30 to agree on a budget for the end of the current fiscal year. If the deadline is not met, some state government services and functions would stop. Whitmer told a news outlet on Monday that “they have a lot of time before the deadline” and “There are a lot of meetings in Lansing right now.“
PODCAST:
Aug. 26, 2025 ~ WJR‘s Marie Osborne discusses Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaking out about the budget impasse in Lansing.
(CONTINUED) Whitmer put forward a budget proposal in February, and the Michigan Senate, led by Democrats, passed budget bills in May with a few changes. The House, led by Republican Speaker Matt Hall, hasn’t passed formal budget bills outside of an education spending measure.
The work won’t be over even if the house passes the budget. Whitmer, Hall, and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Binks will have to come to a consensus over how the state will spend a figure that is likely going to exceed $80 billion during the 2025-26 fiscal year.
The governor proposed a plan that would generate revenue for Michigan‘s roads by bringing in more revenue from large corporations and tech companies, likely with a tax bump, as well as moving revenue generated by the fuel sales tax to go to road funding. In addition, Whitmer’s road funding plan would also be paid for by eliminating a wholesale tax exemption from marijuana sales.
Hall has also put forward a $3 billion road funding proposal. Under his plan, the state would find road funding from existing revenue and call for eliminating a business tax credit program.
760 WJR TOP NEWS STORIES:
