GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Sudden changes from the Michigan State Capitol have sent shockwaves throughout the state, after lawmakers voted Wednesday against designating roughly $644 million for work projects.

"It's heinous is what it is," State Rep. Kristian Grand (D-Grand Rapids) said of the situation.

The Republican-led House Appropriation's Committee wielded a little-used power in Michigan law on Wednesday to disapprove work project designations, which allow money left over in a line item from one year to be carried over up to the next four years to fund multi-year efforts.

"In just minutes, multi-year commitments that our communities had already planned for had the rug pulled out from under them," said State Rep. Carol Glanville (D-Walker), who sits on the committee.

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