By AP
LANSING, MI – Uneasy legislative negotiators say a proposed cut in state payments to local governments is too deep.
Thursday's conference committee meeting has been delayed as House and Senate lawmakers struggle to approve a $163 million cut in revenue-sharing payments to cities, townships and villages.
The estimated 15% cut was agreed to by the Legislature's top Democrat and Republican.
But Republican Sen. John Pappageorge of Troy and Democratic Rep. Fred Durhal of Detroit hope more money can be found to lessen the blow. They sit on the conference committee dealing with revenue sharing.
Local communities use the tax payments for police, fire and other services. Mayors and other community leaders have urged lawmakers to shrink the size of the cut.