LANSING, Mich. Michigan's budget outlook is not as bad as was thought thanks to federal pandemic relief aid, higher consumer spending and tax payments than expected, and a quicker recovery by the manufacturing and auto industries, officials said Monday.
Gretchen Whitmer's administration and legislative economists projected a combined $6.3 billion shortfall in the state's two main funds over this fiscal year and next.
That means the situation is not as dire as the Democratic governor and Republican-led Legislature begin work to pass a budget to start Oct. 1.
State budget director Chris Kolb estimated a hole of less than $1 billion in the combined $23 billion school aid and general funds, down from a potential $3 billion shortfall.
These are large revenue losses that will require difficult decisions without additional federal aid, especially in fiscal year '22.