LANSING — Lawmakers on Oct. 2 and Oct. 3 voted to approve a 2026 budget plan that makes cuts to many state agencies while boosting funding for Michigan's highway department by about $1.1 billion.

The state's fiscal year turned over on Oct. 1, but lawmakers previously passed a short-term continuation to buy themselves an extra week. On Oct. 2, they released a plan to fund state operations for the 2026 fiscal year, which runs through Sept. 30, 2026.

Two budget bills, one for general government and one for education, were approved by overwhelming bipartisan votes in the House and Senate on the night of Oct. 2 and morning of Oct. 3 and sent on to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who is expected to sign them. The Senate also passed other road funding bills already passed by the House, including a con

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