After scandals, state lawmakers set 45-day earmark reporting standard

Lansing — The Michigan House and Senate voted Thursday to institute a 45-day disclosure window before lawmakers can insert funding for special projects into the state budget, a significant change that came in response to a series of scandals tied to a wave of earmark spending.

House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, had pushed for the new reporting requirements, originally seeking a 90-day period between when lawmakers had to publish their requests for earmarks and when the budget is approved.