By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-864546.mp3
Lansing, MI – New revenue proposals from Democratic lawmakers in Lansing are having trouble gaining momentum.
Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop says because the Senate was able to pass a balanced budget with no new revenue, he does not think his fellow Republicans will vote for new taxes now. The Senate is sitting on a tax on physicians' earnings passed by the House.
Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon says the physicians' tax is necessary to backfill cuts made to Medicaid last week.
"Without that we've got serious, serious problems with the Department of Community Health. I think you'll see hospitals begin to fail. So, if not that, what?"
Dillon says he thinks he can find enough Republican support in the Senate to pass the new revenue bill.