Watch CBS News

Michigan Tax Revenues Are $3.5B Higher Than Past Estimate

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's main funds will take in an estimated $3.5 billion more in taxes than previously forecast thanks to increased consumer spending of federal stimulus checks and other coronavirus relief funds, state officials said Friday.

The surplus, spread over this fiscal year and next, will give Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Republican-controlled Legislature additional budget flexibility at a time $6.5 billion more in discretionary federal COVID-19 aid is coming to the state — half now and the rest in a year.

Economists settled on revised revenue estimates for the school aid and general funds that are higher than what was forecast in January: $2 billion more this budget year and $1.5 billion more next fiscal year.

"If people have more money to spend, what are they going to do? They're going to spend it," said Jim Stansell, associate director and senior economist with the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency.

Experts in January predicted a 2% drop in school and general revenues for the current budget. They now project a 6.2% increase, a $2 billion difference.

The Democratic governor and lawmakers will use the new numbers as they negotiate the 2021-22 budget that will begin in October and could be resolved next month before the summer legislative recess. The extra state revenue, along with the influx of massive amounts of federal coronavirus funding, prompted calls for major shifts in state spending.

A group of superintendents said the school fund should be solely dedicated to K-12 again and not also be used for higher education, as has happened in the past decade. Universities called for additional state operations funding, which is 11% lower than 20 years ago without factoring in inflation.

"This gives us real resources to solve the real problems that exist in our state," budget director Dave Massaron said.

Republicans welcomed the news but also urged caution.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Thomas Albert, of Lowell, said the budget and economy are "artificially propped up" by federal COVID-19 relief and noted job levels remain below pre-pandemic numbers.

"I'm deeply concerned that the same federal policies causing short-term revenue gain could lead to inflation and other monetary pressures that might hurt our economy in the near future," he said.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Stamas, of Midland, said the "once-in-a-lifetime" funding should go toward "purposeful and lasting" projects.

Lawmakers this week said they want to spend at least $500 million and potentially billions of dollars to fix dams in the wake of a 2020 disaster in the Midland area.


© 2021 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.