Total spending by Michigan’s state government has soared during the COVID-19 pandemic, in large part due to the injection of billions of federal dollars.

For the 2018-19 fiscal year that began Oct. 1, 2018 - the last full fiscal year before the pandemic - state lawmakers approved $58.340 billion in spending, including money from both state taxpayers and the federal government.

The pandemic arrived about five months into the next state fiscal year, 2019-20. The total 2019-20 state budget increased to $67.172 billion, including the federal dollars.

If not for the previous year’s increase in federal funding, Michigan’s 2020-21 budget of $61.564 billion would be setting a new record. Instead it’s a reduction, even though spending will still be $3.2 billion higher than it was in the last pre-pandemic budget.

It’s actually the first decline after an eight-year streak of annual state spending increases. The last time total state spending did not increase was the 2011-12 fiscal year.

The overall state budget was $47.598 billion in 2011-12. When adjusted for inflation, that budget was equivalent to $55.761 billion in current dollars, which is $5.8 billion less spending than the current budget.

The data comes from the Senate Fiscal Agency.

In June 2020, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said she supported the spirit of defunding police in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

The Michigan State Police received $1.3 billion during the 2019-20 fiscal year, which is when Whitmer made that statement. Of this money, $516.8 million came from revenues raised by the state and appropriated by the Michigan Legislature and governor. That's according to the Senate Fiscal Agency.

In the two Michigan budgets passed since Whitmer made that statement, the amount of state revenue (separate from federal) flowing to the Michigan State Police has increased, rising to $622.9 million in 2020-21 and $673.8 million in 2021-22.

Editor's note: The headline was changed on this story.

East Lansing Public Schools will prohibit future Halloween and Valentine’s Day celebrations. The district has already cancelled Christmas and winter celebrations.

The district says the cancellations are the product of equity and inclusion issues. It sent a letter to parents and students notifying them that parties and observances of the holidays will no longer be allowed. It states:

“The celebration of Halloween and Valentine’s Day are two traditions that have given us pause for some time, especially as we grow in our understanding of equity and inclusion and look closely at the unintended consequences of celebrating these days in schools.”

The letter states there are families who do not celebrate Halloween and don’t want their children participating in Halloween parties and parades. It says that some children become overwhelmed or frightened by the festivities, making it difficult to concentrate and learn.

The district also says that some parents are not comfortable with their children exchanging cards associated with the Valentine’s Day celebration of love. The letter states that observing the holiday could lead to classroom drama and teasing.