Less than a week before Michigan faced a partial government shutdown, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and legislative leaders stood together to announce they had finally reached an agreement on a budget. The Thursday evening announcement offered reassurance that the state would not wake up October 1 without the money to keep vital services running, but it also underscored how long and difficult the road to compromise has been.

By law, Michigan’s budget should have been finalized by July 1, yet only now are the broad outlines of a deal beginning to take shape.

Whitmer framed the agreement as proof that cooperation is still possible in a polarized political climate.

“In Michigan, we’ve proven again and again that we can work together to get things done by staying focused on the kitchen-table is

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