State Budget Grew Faster Under Snyder Than Granholm

Michigan’s state budget has grown at a faster rate under Republican Gov. Rick Snyder than it did under Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

The state’s 2018-19 budget totals $56.8 billion, up from $45.9 billion in the last annual budget his predecessor approved, a 9 percent increase even after adjusted for inflation. During the Granholm administration the state budget increased from $39.6 billion to $45.9 billion, which was a 5 percent decrease when adjusted for inflation.

James Hohman, director of fiscal policy at the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, said those results largely reflect the condition of the state and national economies during each governor’s tenure. Michigan lost 575,000 jobs during the Granholm administration and gained 532,000 jobs in the Snyder administration.