Michigan House passes $75.8B budget proposal

The Michigan House of Representatives passed a $75.8 billion budget proposal late Wednesday night. The plan reduces spending by nearly $5 billion compared to the current state budget, with significant cuts to the Health and Human Services, Labor and Economic Opportunity, and Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy departments. State Representative Ann Bollin, chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said the House saved money by funding departments at levels closer to recent years' spending. The proposal passed with all Democrats and two Republicans voting against it. The budget assumes a $300 million reduction in Medicaid spending due to new federal rules and doesn't account for potential revenue from a proposed tax plan. The spending bills are likely to see significant changes before the Democrat-controlled Senate and Governor Gretchen Whitmer's office agree on a final budget.