Michigan Legislature passes $1 billion spending plan, sparking GOP criticism
Gongwer Michigan managing editor Alethia Kasben joins MichMash host Cheyna Roth to explain the $1 billion spending plan recently passed by the Michigan Legislature.
Michigan State Capitol building.
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In this episode:
- House Appropriations Chairman Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, unexpectedly resigns from leadership post
- Michigan Legislature approves $846 million fund to attract businesses to the state
- Michigan Republicans fail to override Gov. Whitmer’s veto on anti-abortion funds
- Smaller bills covering mental health, election processes also addressed in extended chamber session
The Michigan Legislature approved $1 billion in spending last week, mainly to refill funds used to spark major economic developments in the state. While the late night session on Wednesday showed bipartisan progress, several prominent GOP members voiced their opposition to the bills, including Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon.
Before the bills were even officially approved, House Appropriations Chairman Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, announced his surprise resignation from his position. Albert opposed the spending plan from the start, citing his concern that Michigan is headed for an economic downturn and should be more conservative using the state’s $7 billion surplus in tax funds.
“So you have people like Representative Albert, concerned about inflation and a global recession that could be caused by the amount of inflation that we’re seeing right now,” Kasben explains. “He is very concerned about the amount of government spending, particularly from the federal government that has trickled down. A key reason why we have so much money in our state coffers right now is because of federal COVID relief money that has been sent down to the states.”
Related posts:
- Detroit Today: Inside Michigan’s $77 billion state budget
- Detroit Evening Report: Detroit Economic Club hosting Gretchen Whitmer, Tudor Dixon at MotorCity Casino
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