By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-902626.mp3
LANSING, MI –
Lawmakers at the state Capitol continue to debate the state budget as they wait for estimates later this week on revenue.
AUDIO:
The Republican-led state Senate has approved a budget that would cut about 4% of state payments to local governments. The move drew a lot of resistance from Senate Democrats, who wanted to restore that cut.
Democratic state Senator Gilda Jacobs.
"Our local communities just can't take anymore cuts," she says.
Local government revenue sharing pays for police, fire and other services. Democrats continue to oppose budgets with deep cuts. Meanwhile, senate Republicans are trying to fill a nearly $2 billion shortfall in the state budget with no tax increases.