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Pure Michigan gets reprieve, but its future is cloudy amid budget showdown
Work on Pure Michigan tourism ads will continue through at least the end of the year after approval to use $740K to pay firms. Its long-term status remains shaky after a $37.5 million budget veto.
How Michigan Republicans nearly gutted discrimination investigations
In an under-the-radar move, the GOP tried to shift $1.5 million from the Department of Civil Rights to three private museums. The move came as hate crimes are increasing.
Opinion | Gov. Whitmer prioritizes Native American students in Michigan budget
With more than 147 line-item vetoes, the governor signaled a stark change from her earlier stance on a roads plan and other funding. However, her 2019-20 budget does reflect one of her campaign promises to Native American communities: a fully-funded tuition waiver program.
Score one for bipartisanship: Michigan Dems, GOP pass ‘raise the age’ bills
The legislation would make 17-year-olds automatically treated as juveniles in criminal proceedings. Advocates say it will help curb recidivism among young offenders. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign the legislation.
Michigan judge suspends Gov. Whitmer’s ban on flavored e-cigarettes
In granting a preliminary injunction, the judge said the state undermined its own argument that the move was a public health “emergency.”
Plans for visitor center at Michigan Capitol downsized after Whitmer veto
A visitor center next to the state Capitol will be smaller after the first-term governor nixes an additional $15 million for the project.
Opinion | We must work together to reverse Whitmer cuts to autism services
Two GOP representatives -- also parents of children with special needs -- say Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was wrong to use vulnerable residents as leverage in the road funding debate. They've introduced a plan that would restore funding for the autism services she cut from the budget.
Michigan Republicans want to rein in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget power
Republicans explore taking power away from Whitmer, as her Democratic allies submit bills to restore some unpopular budget cuts, including $1 million for an autism program and $34 million for rural hospitals.
Michigan Republicans jockeying to override Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget vetoes
Ahead of a Thursday meeting with the first-term governor, GOP lawmakers are drafting bills to restore funding for popular programs Whitmer cut including an autism hotline.
In the spring, Gov. Whitmer praised an opioid clinic. In the fall, a veto.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s vetoes in the Michigan budget included funds for Andy’s Place, an opioid recovery project near Jackson that she endorsed months ago. The planned facility is in the district of Republican budget and political foe Mike Shirkey.
Tiny school districts to Lansing: Stop acting like ‘middle-schoolers’
Superintendents in some of Michigan’s most isolated districts blame Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Repubican leaders for a budget fight that they say threatens their future and treats students like political pawns.
Michigan has $1B left over from budget. What happens to all that money?
Now that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has gone on a line-item veto spree, some $947 million in taxpayer money is unspent. Time is running out, but Whitmer says ‘all is not lost’ and there’s still an opportunity to salvage programs.
Opinion | Governor’s cuts use people as negotiation tools
Being a leader is recognizing when you have made a mistake — and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made a doozy by cutting funds for scholarships and for programs to help children with autism or seniors with Alzheimer’s. It's cruel, and it's wrong.
Rural Michigan sheriffs fear layoffs after Whitmer vetoes road patrol
Law enforcement raises alarms after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer axed $13 million for a state grant program that has helped county sheriffs hire road patrol deputies since 1978.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 5 big asks for new Michigan budget talks
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants Republicans to fund five “key” priorities for a potential supplemental spending bill after vetoing $947 million from GOP budgets. Don’t count on it, GOP leader says.
Opinion | Michigan minority-owned businesses left out in cold by Gov. Whitmer
Whitmer administration’s directives need to go farther for many Michigan businesses, especially minority-business enterprises.
Here are the winners and the losers in Michigan’s new budget
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer line-item vetoed nearly $1 billion of the budget and shifted $625 million. Michiganders are left with a budget that advocates say will help make drinking water safer and preschool more reliable but college tuition higher.
Opinion | Is it time to increase taxes in Michigan?
If Michiganders want quality services, higher taxes seem appropriate and perhaps necessary, writes a Michigan State University professor of economics.
What Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's budget cuts and shifts mean to Michigan residents
No money for Pure Michigan and less for rural hospitals. More money for Medicaid work rules and water testing. How Gretchen Whitmer’s nearly $1 billion in changes could have a big impact on everyday residents.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer targets rural Michigan in bid to sway GOP on budgets
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used her line-item veto power to cut several GOP budget priorities in hopes of restarting negotiations. Rural Michigan is among the hardest hit.