It appears that state lawmakers have reached a deal on a state budget that will prevent a government shutdown.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Republican House leaders, and Democratic Sentae leaders, issued a joint statement Thursday night, saying that they had reached a deal for a new budget, just days ahead of the October 1st deadline. One of the highlights is legislation that pumps more money into road repairs across the state.
The $2 billion will be funded in large part by a 24% tax on marijuana sales in Michigan, and tax cuts that businesses were going to see will be delayed. The bills passed in the Senate, 95-4, and in the House, 78-21, with bipartisan support. Many of the details of the overall state budget are still being negotiated.
“Today’s agreement is a reminder of who we are as Michiganders,” Governor Whitmer said on social media Thursday night. “We set aside our differences and get things done by focusing on the kitchen-table issues that make a real difference in people’s lives. Michigan is on a path to pass a balanced, bipartisan budget by October 1st.”
Republican House Speaker Matt Hall also took to social media Thursday night.
“We’re finally moving in the right direction. -Eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse. -Cut phantom employees. -No tax on tips, overtime, and social security. -Require transparency on all pork projects. -Cut total government spending,” he wrote. “Now let’s get this budget passed.”
House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin released the following statement after the House, Senate and governor announced the basis of a budget deal tonight:
“The House, Senate, and governor have reached a framework for the state budget, and negotiations are moving in a positive direction. The House passed key bills that will allow us to continue our work eliminating waste in the state budget and restructuring state government to move away from the broken processes of the past.
“Government in Michigan is divided, and we must work together, across the aisle, to keep it operating, fund critical road repairs, reduce waste, and make life more affordable for families by eliminating taxes on tips and overtime. The votes we took today are an important step forward in achieving those goals and delivering a more efficient, transparent, and accountable state government.”
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