Democratic and Republican leaders are hopeful they will reach a deal on a supplemental budget. But it looks like that won’t happen until after Thanksgiving. The House and Senate are on break. Though they have one tentative session day scheduled next week.
In September, Governor Gretchen Whitmer vetoed almost a billion dollars in spending from the state budget. Whitmer said she had to issue the vetoes because the budget was “fatally flawed.”
Since then, the leaders have been trying to find a compromise plan to reinstate some of the vetoes. Whitmer said there is a negotiated supplemental budget.
“We had a good bipartisan negotiation,” Whitmer told reporters. “I think it meets a lot of the needs that people are most concerned about and I would love to sign that into law.”
A major point of contention is Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey’s (R-Clarklake) desire to have Whitmer sign a bill into law that limits her ability to move money around with the state Administrative Board. A move Whitmer made after she signed the state budget. Whitmer has said repeatedly that she will not limit her powers, or the power of future governors.
“We have to work through the differences, but I remain optimistic that most of the differences can be resolved,” Shirkey said.
Shirkey said he believes they will resolve the impasse, he just doesn’t know when.
