Michigan legislators doled out $147 million for 175 spending earmarks in the state budget they passed in September, which they call enhancement grants.

The beneficiaries are chosen in non-transparent process of lawmakers from both parties trying to add money for specific entities in their district or an area of personal interest. Such earmarks have been seen in past Michigan budgets when the state is flush with cash, appearing in year-end legislation that Lansing insiders label "Christmas tree" bills.

The number and magnitude of handouts have exploded in the wake of massive pandemic-inspired federal spending plans that include transferring money to state governments.

Michigan Capitol Confidential previously reported $11.7 million given by Lansing to local governments, arts centers, a closed hotel, and historical preservation schemes. Local spending of this nature is ordinarily covered by private contributions, local revenue from property tax and other receipts.

Among the additional special interest winners chosen to receive legislative earmarks are:

The Michigan Snowmobile and ORV Association received $1.5 million in equipment and training.

An entity called the Amity Foundation received $2 million, although official budget documents and analyses provided no explanation of what the grant is for. The entity’s Facebook page says it will develop youth leaders. There are also numerous posts about raising money for relief efforts in Palestine.

The Calvin Prison Institute in Ionia was given $1 million for prisoner education. It will allow 20 prisoners a year to obtain a bachelor's degree, according to the institute’s website. The site notes that 84 students are now enrolled, and 18 have received an associates degrees. There is no comparable data for bachelor’s degrees.

The Dearborn Community and Performing Arts Center was given $1.5 million for a new roof.

The Flint Social Club is getting $375,000 for “food entrepreneur training and mentoring.”

The Flint Food Market was given $460,000 for “food access expansion.”

The Grand Rapids African American Health Institute was given $500,000 for research into a health equity index.

A senior living community called Presbyterian Village is getting $1 million for renovation and construction of new units. There are several developments in Michigan under this name; which one is getting this money was not specified. According to a website that tracks these facilities, the cost of a shared Presbyterian Village suite starts at $5,347 a month.

The Motown Museum is getting $1 million to expand and develop a “creative hub of entrepreneurship,” according to The Detroit News.

Goudy Park Amphitheater in Wayne was earmarked $500,000 for unspecific improvements.

Degage Ministries in Grand Rapids is getting $500,000 for programming that appears unconnected to any specific purposes and outcomes.

Invest Detroit gets $500,000 for a loan financing program. Its CEO made $400,322 in total compensation in 2019.

The city of Flint was given $1 million for blight removal and clean-up funds.

Editor’s note: Warning. This story contains many profanities. This story was altered to include more context on the video. One video that was online was made private. A longer version of a video had been added to this story that was available as of Jan. 13, 12:40 a.m.

A Ferris State University professor sent a profanity-laced video to his students, calling them “c--ksuckers” and telling them their grades would be determined before they walked into the class. It was, he said, a system based on a particular Christian doctrine.

The professor said, “There is absolutely nothing you can do, you have no control over your grade. It doesn’t matter how f------ hard you work or how good your grades are, my grading system is based on the Calvinist doctrine of predestination. I figure if it was good enough for Americans, it was good enough for me.” Later in the longer video, the professor contradicts his profane rant and tells students that all the material they need to get an A grade is available to them online.

The professor’s four-plus minute rant was uploaded to YouTube on Jan. 12. Another longer version was uploaded on Jan. 9.

In the video, the professor states some of his obscene monologue was taken from a scene from the TV show Deadwood, specifically use of the word “c--ksuckers” and then he inserts his own dialogue to it. He then asks if his adaption of the Deadwood scene is considered plagiarism. He then tells the students it could be considered plagiarism and they could be expelled if committed plagiarism at Ferris State.

Ferris State University released a statement; it said it “is aware of a course video distributed to students, in early January, by a faculty member believed to be Professor Barry Mehler. The faculty member has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation.”

Ferris State’s profile page for Mehler lists him as a history professor. It also lists him as the director of the Institute for the Study of Academic Racism and the director of the Shoah Institute.

FSU President David Eisler provided the following statement: “I was shocked and appalled by this video. It is profane, offensive and disturbing and in no way reflects our University or its values.”

In the video, Mehler said: “None of you c--ksuckers are good enough to earn an A in my class. So I randomly assign grades before the first day of class. I don’t want to know s--- about you. I don’t even want to know your name. I just look at the number and I assign a grade. That is how predestination works. And don’t come f------ complaining to me. Take your complaints to God. He ordained this system, not me.” He then goes on to talk about his attendance policy.

He also said as part of his Deadwood adaption, “I work in a paid f------ union job and no limber-dick c--ksucker of an administrator is going to tell me how to teach my classes. Because I’m a f------ tenured professor.”

He then added this line to the end of what he describes as his soliloquy, which is not taken from Deadwood, “So if you want to go to complain to your dean, f--- you, go ahead, I’m retiring at the end of this year and I couldn’t give a flying f--- any longer. You people are just vectors of disease to me and I don’t want to be anywhere near you. So keep your f------ distance.”

Mehler didn't immediately respond to an email sent to his work email.