Budget season is here, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has put forth a $83.5 billion proposal that targets environmental measures, mental health, a tax on vapes and more. This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth welcomes the return of Gongwer News Service’s Alethia Kasben as they sit down with Bridge Michigan’s deputy editor Jonathan Oosting to discuss what is likely to pass as the budget goes through subcommittees. 

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In this episode:

• Gov. Whitmer’s $83.5 billion budget proposal
• The new proposed tax on vapes
• Gov. Whitmer set to release plan for road funding next week

The legislature needs to pass and present the budget for the upcoming fiscal year to the governor by July 1, 2025. Budget director Jen Flood presented the administration’s spending plan.

“This is not a huge change from previous spending years,” Kasben noted. “The governor wants to boost funding for financial aid, continue funding for preschool for four-year-olds, free breakfast and lunch for schools…” among many other things.

The budget also is making news for what isn’t in it — anything new about road funding. The governor is planning to present that next week.  

Whitmer proposed a new tax on vapes and nicotine pouches. Oosting shared how the budget isn’t receiving strong opposition, but the general sentiment is to spend less than last year.  

“The House Appropriations Chair [State Rep. Ann Bollin] said she is concerned about youth vaping but isn’t sure a tax is something she can support,” he said. “A lot of lawmakers in the Republican House, they’ve signed pledges to not raise taxes at all.” 

This budget was released before the Whitmer’s State of the State Address, which is slated for Feb. 26, 2025. 

More from WDET:

• Michigan supplemental budget proposal includes money for Oxford High School investigation
• Efforts to end flavored tobacco product sales in Detroit get a boost from the CDC
• MichMash: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shares key points from her State of the State address