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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 5d

And this on what become the most controversial piece of a long and already-fraught, months-long budget stalemate: a large wholesale tax on Marijuana products. This one passed the Senate on a margin razor thin.

michiganadvance.com/2025/10/03/2...

24% Michigan marijuana tax, a key piece of the legislative budget deal, has passed • Michigan Advance

After much hand wringing and consternation from lawmakers who feared detrimental effects to Michigan’s cannabis industry, the Michigan Senate voted early Friday morning by a thin margin to pass a 24% ...

michiganadvance.com

Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 5d

Here's what the whole of Michigan government spending looks like in the new fiscal year, by yours truly.

michiganadvance.com/2025/10/02/m...

Omnibus budget with $51B spending plan passed by Michigan Legislature • Michigan Advance

Updated at 7:16 a.m. The Legislature on Thursday night approved what was described as a compromise budget to fund the government and its agencies at $51.8 billion, with $12.5 billion going out of the...

michiganadvance.com

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 5d

Here's a look at the Senate's earmarks, a first but for the House GOP bending the Democratic upper chamber's arm on pork project transparency. Kyle took the lead here.

michiganadvance.com/briefs/more-...

More than $350 million in legislative spending up for consideration in 2026 budget • Michigan Advance

During a hearing Thursday afternoon, members of the Senate Appropriations committee ran through a list of legislative spending requests which could make their way into the final budget deal. The list...

michiganadvance.com

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 5d

Everybody at @michiganadvance.com got a piece of the action last night. Here's what the school budget looks like, from Katherine and Kyle tag teaming the important numbers.

michiganadvance.com/2025/10/03/l...

Legislature passes $21.3B school aid budget, securing school meals and increased student funds • Michigan Advance

Updated at 11:43 a.m. The state Legislature delivered on promises to preserve free school meals and increased per pupil funding, after months of tough negotiations ended in lawmakers passing an eight-...

michiganadvance.com

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 5d

Awake now after nearly 17 hrs yesterday on the House, Senate floor.

Shout out to the team; to @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social for his hard work grinding out this budget season for months as a two-person operation;

and to @kdailey.bsky.social for just knocking it out of the park in her first week here.

What Year Is It GIF

ALT: What Year Is It GIF

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Jon King @jonkingnews.bsky.social · 6d

We have a small, but mighty team at @michiganadvance.com, who covered passage of our new state budget, spending long hours at the Capitol until final votes, followed by comprehensive write-ups on each piece.

Kudos to @bensolis1.bsky.social, @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social and @kdailey.bsky.social

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 6d

After much handwringing and consternation from lawmakers who feared detrimental effects to Michigan’s cannabis industry, the Michigan Senate voted early Friday morning by a thin margin to pass a 24% wholesale tax on marijuana products sold in the state.

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

24% Michigan marijuana tax, a key piece of the legislative budget deal, has passed • Michigan Advance

After much handwringing and consternation from lawmakers who feared detrimental effects to Michigan’s cannabis industry, the Michigan Senate voted early Friday morning by a thin margin to pass a 24% w...

michiganadvance.com

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 6d

The Michigan House on Thursday night approved what was described as a compromise budget to fund the government and its agencies at $51.8 billion, with $12.5 billion going out of the General Fund, according to the House’s fiscal analysis of the general omnibus budget.

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

Michigan House passes omnibus budget with $51B spending plan • Michigan Advance

The Michigan House Of Representatives on Thursday night approved what was described as a compromise budget to fund the government and its agencies at $51.8 billion, with $12.5 billion going out of the...

michiganadvance.com

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 6d

The leader of the Michigan House of Representatives said Thursday that he expects his Senate counterpart will deliver the votes needed to pass a proposed 24% wholesale tax on marijuana, and if not, he says the budget deal would fall apart at the seams.

Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

Hall believes Senate will pass new marijuana tax despite defections, without amendment • Michigan Advance

The leader of the Michigan House of Representatives said Thursday that he expects his Senate counterpart will deliver the votes needed to pass a proposed 24% wholesale tax on marijuana, and if not, he...

michiganadvance.com

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Samantha Maldonado @smaldo.bsky.social · 8d

ICE agents shoved multiple journalists while they were doing their jobs. One had to go to the hospital.

www.amny.com/immigration/...

ICE agents assault amNewYork reporter at Federal Plaza immigration court; another journalist seriously injured after shove | amNewYork

ICE agents assaulted amNewYork's own Dean Moses, and allegedly attacked another journalist, on Tuesday morning as they were documenting the ongoing arrests of

www.amny.com

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 7d

The Michigan Legislature, after going all night on Tuesday to pass a continuation budget to avoid a government shutdown, spent Wednesday hashing out further details of the state’s K-12 schools budget for the current fiscal year.

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

Michigan K-12 budget heads to conference after action in Legislature • Michigan Advance

The Michigan Legislature, after going all night on Tuesday to pass a continuation budget to avoid a government shutdown, spent Wednesday hashing out further details of the state’s K-12 schools budget ...

michiganadvance.com

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 8d

Michigan Legislature passes eight day continuation budget, votes expected Thursday

michiganadvance.com/2025/10/01/m...

Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social and @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

Michigan Legislature passes eight day continuation budget, votes expected Thursday • Michigan Advance

In the thick of a government shutdown that lasted just one hour, the Michigan House and Senate passed a continuation budget to hold the state over for the next eight days – a move that was described a...

michiganadvance.com

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 8d

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 8d

Just took this photo of Matt Hall a bit ago. Looks like a guy who is about to do a victory lap.

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 8d

The plan was tailored for a situation where divided govt would stall out in budget talks and the govt would be forced to shut down, even for a short time. Democrats predicted the shutdown plan was a harbinger of this very situation.

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 8d

This was something that the MI Republicans were telegraphing for months when they put that shutdown avoidance plan in March.

michiganadvance.com/2025/03/06/m...

Michigan House Republicans pass $20 billion spending plan to Democrats ire • Michigan Advance

Months before the Sept. 30 deadline, Republican leadership in the Michigan House quickly unveiled and voted through their plans Thursday to prevent stoppages in their version of essential services sho...

michiganadvance.com

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 8d

Senate just discharged the House "government shutdown" plan funding only the Constitutionally required aspects of the government, passed months earlier in the House. That means the S could vote on that to keep the govt open, maybe with amendments then kick it to the H
@michiganadvance.com

Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 8d

Work continues on drafting the budget. A deal is definitely in place, but it will take time before they can actually vote on it. Republicans in the House are in caucus now.

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 8d

Work continues on drafting the budget. A deal is definitely in place, but it will take time before they can actually vote on it. Republicans in the House are in caucus now.

Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 8d

And the government is shut down. No new spending plan was passed as of midnight, and the governor has signaled that she's keeping to government open, but has yet to issue an executive directive doing so. Also, that appears to buck the the tenets of the state's Constitution.

@michiganadvance.com

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 8d

Gov. Whitmer reportedly told state employees in an email that their jobs would be unaffected by the ongoing state budget negotiations considering the Legislature has not yet passed a consensus budget into the mid-afternoon Tuesday – the final day of the current fiscal year

By @bensolis1.bsky.social

Whitmer tells state employees that operations will continue, continuation budget rumors swirl • Michigan Advance

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer reportedly told state employees in an email that their jobs would be unaffected by the ongoing state budget negotiations considering the Michigan Legislature has not yet passed a...

michiganadvance.com

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 8d

The proposed new wholesale tax on marijuana to fund road repairs in the next state budget is much too high and would result in job losses for a booming Michigan cannabis industry, advocates and lawmakers said Tuesday as they rallied for a lower tax rate.

From @bensolis1.bsky.social

Cannabis industry advocates, lawmakers say 24% tax on Michigan marijuana is too high • Michigan Advance

The proposed new wholesale tax on marijuana products to fund road repairs in the next state budget and years down the road is much too high and would result in job losses for a booming Michigan cannab...

michiganadvance.com

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 8d

The current fiscal year ends in less than 12 hours, and the respective chambers of the Michigan Legislature were still waiting in limbo as progress toward a final spending plan remains slow and elusive.

Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social and @kdavidsonjrn.bsky.social

Michigan Legislature still in holding pattern as budget clock winds down • Michigan Advance

The current fiscal year ends in less than 12 hours, and the respective chambers of the Michigan Legislature were still waiting in limbo as progress toward a final spending plan remains slow and elusiv...

michiganadvance.com

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 8d

Cannabis industry folks making a lot of noise in the Michigan Capitol not long ago.

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Abdul El-Sayed @abdulelsayed.bsky.social · 9d

It's time for a billionaire tax.

We CAN have nice things—but only if we stop letting a small few hoard wealth and rig the rules of our system.

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Katherine Dailey @kdailey.bsky.social · 9d

Hello from my new job!

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 10d

We are excited to announce journalist Katherine Dailey as the newest member of our reporting team!

“Katherine’s experience in data-driven reporting and her focus on housing and education issues make her a tremendous asset to our newsroom,” Michigan Advance Editor-in-Chief Jon King said.

Michigan Advance welcomes new reporter Katherine Dailey • Michigan Advance

LANSING — Michigan Advance has added journalist Katherine Dailey to its reporting team, expanding its commitment to in-depth, accountability-focused coverage across the state. Dailey is a graduate of ...

michiganadvance.com

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