Michigan lawmakers seal a tough, compromise budget after a 23-hour session

Lawmakers in Michigan approved about an $84 billion state budget after a near day-long marathon, closing a $1 billion revenue gap with spending shifts that pull more money to higher education and literacy efforts while cutting several programs and departments (including Pure Michigan and arts funding). The plan increases the per-pupil foundation and raises literacy funding, boosts university funding, and includes $125 million for special projects, alongside a move to expand a brownfield incentive and a measure barring former lawmakers from lobbying for two years after leaving office. The process came after months of negotiation and late votes well past the deadline.