For a long time, Michigan's roads didn't have the funding they needed. That was true until last month, when lawmakers placed a 24% tax on marijuana products sold in the state. The vote was mostly along party lines with Democrats supporting it, and Republicans rejecting the measure. But the vote needed bipartisan support. And they got it from Upper Peninsula State Senator Ed McBroom.

Producer Sam Corey spoke with Senator McBroom before President Donald Trump complied with rulings to temporarily and partially fund SNAP for this month.

After their conversation, the state Senate approved a plan to fund SNAP. Senator McBroom, along with several other Senate Republicans, did not attend the vote for that in the statehouse. 

McBroom’s office told The Metro that the senator was told by Democratic leadership that representatives wouldn’t be voting on anything and that the SNAP bill wasn’t originally on the day’s agenda. Democratic state Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks’ office said the Senate Republican caucus was provided the bill and had time to meet to discuss it ahead of the vote.