Governor Gretchen Whitmeris expected to sign budget bills today and avert a partial shutdown of state government at midnight. But, as we hear Rick Pluta, it’s not “game over” for the governor’s request for more money to fix roads.
The Legislature’s Republican majorities ignored the governor’s request for a fuel tax increase and more money for schools. Instead, they and sent her their own budgets to accept or reject.
Kurt Weiss with thestate budget office says the governor can use the line-item veto and other powers to re-start the bargaining.
“There’s a number of things we can do to try and get these budgets back into a position where we can bargain and negotiate a better budget.”
Republicans expect line-item vetoes from the Democratic governor. But they’re waiting to see what she does before deciding their next moves. It’s normal for the Legislature to adopt mid-year budget adjustments based on emerging needs and changes in revenue.
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— Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network. Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org