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Wayne State alum gets ‘genius grant’ for groundbreaking viral proteins, vaccine research • Michigan Advance

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 4d

The prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, which comes with an $800,000 prize to support ongoing research, will be granted this year to Jason McLellan, a Wayne State University graduate, for his pioneering vaccine research.

Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

The prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, which comes with an $800,000 prize to support ongoing research, will be granted this year to Jason McLellan, a Wayne State University graduate. The award, known a...

Michigan Democrats blunted the effects of Trump’s tax reforms. Now businesses are bristling. • Michigan Advance

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 10h

In the fight to secure a budget, one key chip for Michigan Dems was a temporary hedge against new federal tax changes spearheaded by congressional Republicans and President Trump, a wish fulfilled by breaking the decades-old link between the state and federal tax codes.

By @bensolis1.bsky.social

In the fight to secure a balanced budget, one key negotiating chip for Michigan Democrats was a temporary hedge against new federal tax changes spearheaded by congressional Republicans and President D...

Josh Cowen drops out of Michigan 7th Congressional District race, endorses Bridget Brink • Michigan Advance

Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 5d

The Democratic primary field in the race for the 7th Congressional District was whittled down on Wednesday, with candidate Josh Cowen announcing that he was withdrawing from the race and endorsing Bridget Brink on his way out the door.

Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

The Democratic primary field in the race for the 7th Congressional District was whittled down on Wednesday, with candidate Josh Cowen announcing that he was withdrawing from the race. Cowen, a profess...

Michigan Senate appropriators hold first hearing on new earmark rules in wake of budget fight • Michigan Advance

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 5d

In a move that shows the government budget cycle is never truly over, appropriators in the Michigan Senate on Wednesday took their first steps toward instituting the House’s earmark transparency rules into state law.

Story from @bensolis1.bsky.social

In a move that shows the government budget cycle is never truly over, appropriators in the Michigan Senate on Wednesday took their first steps toward instituting the House’s earmark transparency rules...

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

Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 10d

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...

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% ...

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

Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 10d

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...

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...

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

Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 10d

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-...

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...

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

Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 10d

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...

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-...

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 10d

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.

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media.tenor.com

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

Reposted by Ben Solis

Jon King @jonkingnews.bsky.social · 10d

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 · 10d

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

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...

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

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 11d

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

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...

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

Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 11d

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

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...

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

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Samantha Maldonado @smaldo.bsky.social · 13d

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

www.amny.com/immigration/...

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 · 12d

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 ...

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

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Reposted by Ben Solis

Michigan Advance @michiganadvance.com · 12d

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

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...

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 13d

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Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 13d

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 · 13d

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.

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

Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 13d

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...

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...

Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 13d

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 · 13d

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.

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

Ben Solis @bensolis1.bsky.social · 13d

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 · 13d

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 · 13d

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

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...