By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-957570.mp3
LANSING, MI –
More rallies are expected to draw protesters to the state Capitol this week to oppose Republican budget proposals. But Governor Rick Snyder says he's standing by his budget plans even in the face of widespread public criticism.
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Governor Snyder says he expects people will come around as they learn more about his plans and how they will stabilize the state budget, and make Michigan a better place to do business. The governor says he's also open some changes in his plans.
"There is some room for tweaks and tuning," he says. "I've said that from Day One, but that'll happen through the legislative process. The package overall, though, is critical to our future."
Snyder says tax cuts to small- and medium-sized businesses are necessary to get money moving into the economy for growth and hiring.
Seniors say it's not fair to tax pensions while giving a big tax cut to most businesses. Public employee unions also say tax cuts for business do not represent the "shared sacrifice" the governor has called for to fix Michigan's problems.