Michigan Legislature holds marathon session before Fourth of July

Key Points:

• Michigan lawmakers approved an $84 billion state budget after working nearly 23 hours straight, closing a $1 billion tax revenue gap through spending cuts and funding shifts without reducing Medicaid or food assistance benefits.
• The budget increases per-student funding by 2.5% and invests $50 million in tutoring and literacy initiatives, including expanding early literacy coaches, while shifting nearly $2 billion from the School Aid Fund to support higher education and community colleges.
• Ten state departments face funding cuts, including a 31% reduction for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, and programs like Pure Michigan tourism and arts and culture receive decreased funding.
• The budget includes $125 million for special local projects, such as infrastructure improvements and security upgrades for cultural institutions, and marks the final spending plan under Governor Gretchen Whitmer's administration.
• The budget was passed amid criticism over the rushed process and limited time lawmakers had to review the lengthy 1,001-page bill, with some Republicans calling the procedure "nonsense."