LANSING — Michigan lawmakers and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer raced Tuesday, Sept. 30 to approve a state budget before the Oct. 1 start of the 2026 fiscal year but there were doubts they could complete the task before triggering a partial state government shutdown.

Meanwhile, opponents of a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana that is a key element of a proposed road funding deal protested at the Capitol in large numbers ahead of an expected Senate vote. The state House approved the marijuana tax and other legislation related to a partial budget deal in bipartisan votes Sept. 25.

Sen. Jon Bumstead, R-North Muskegon, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, told the Detroit Free Press early on the afternoon of Sept. 30 he was not confident the Legislature could finalize a budget that day. Bu

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