MIRS MONDAY, February 16, 2026

Budget-making season has kicked off in Michigan's Capitol, with the Governor proposing to legislators a $88.1 billion spending plan based on $800 million in suggested taxes and a $400 million rainy day fund transfer. 

How do fiscal policy thinkers feel about the proposed tax boosts? Is it appropriate for the School Aid Fund to be spent on community colleges? Also, what are the low-hanging fruits for reducing the size of the state government's budget? 

To discuss all of this and more is Michael LaFaive – the senior director of the Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy – and Rachel Richards, the Michigan League for Public Policy's fiscal policy director (1:00)