Whitmer budget proposal sparks GOP pushback over spending, taxes

(The Center Square) – Conflict over budget priorities is already growing, just one week after the State Budget Office presented Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s spending plan.

This is Whitmer’s eighth and final budget proposal, as a new governor will take office this coming year.

The fiscal year 2026-2027 budget recommendations included record-high K-12 education spending, property tax and retirement relief for seniors, and additional investments into multiple state funds.

“Governor Whitmer is focused on the everyday things that matter most to Michigan families—lowering costs, ensuring our kids can succeed, and protecting Medicaid,” said State Budget Director Jen Flood. “We’ve shown that we can work together to pass balanced, bipartisan budgets, and I look forward to continuing that work with our legislative partners to get the budget done ahead of July 1.”

The budget proposed will total $88.1 billion, a jump of $7 billion from last year’s budget of $81 billion.

While th...