Lawmakers early on Oct. 1 passed a nearly $1.6 billion continuation budget to fund state government until Oct. 8.

Lawmakers return to the Capitol Oct. 1 to try to finalize the 2026 state budget, with many details still not made public.

LANSING — Michigan state government began Oct. 1, the first day of the 2026 fiscal year, with no state budget, but with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer insisting there was no partial state government shutdown, either.

The question of whether a shutdown ever happened quickly became an academic one, as lawmakers in both chambers passed a nearly $1.6 billion continuation budget by 1:50 a.m., appropriating enough money to fund state government for one week.

Lawmakers passed their continuation budget as a federal government shutdown began early on Oct. 1 in Washington

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