By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING, MI –
At the state Capitol Wednesday, the House and the Senate will convene for the first meetings of the Legislature's 2010 session.
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The session will be marked largely by the work that needs to be done on the budget and retiring another big deficit in the coming fiscal year. Legislative leaders have made enacting cost-saving government reforms a high priority. Many Democrats and, privately, some Republicans, say additional revenue and maybe even new taxes will be needed to balance the budget. Democrats also want to restore the Michigan Promise scholarship and other programs that were eliminated last year.
The session will be complicated by elections and the political consequences of controversial votes. Control of the House and the Senate are at stake. Governor Granholm is retiring after two terms. And many lawmakers who are not seeking re-election are running for other offices.