By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING, MI – Democratic state House Speaker Andy Dillon and Republican Senator Mike Bishop may have reached a budget deal for the coming fiscal year. It's believed Governor Granholm was not included in their decision.
The legislative leaders are said to have reached a budget deal of $1.4 billion in program cuts, with no new revenue or tax hikes. The plan is expected to have smaller cuts to Medicaid and revenue sharing for local governments than the original Senate plan. But it is still unclear if Dillon was able to preserve the Michigan Promise college scholarship or K-12 school funding he said would be important to his party.
Dillon still has to sell the idea to his fellow House Democrats. And at the end of the day, Governor Granholm - who called for new taxes - still has veto power over whatever the Legislature decides to do.