As the deadline for the fiscal cliff approaches, President Obama and leading lawmakers met to set a plan for a possible last-minute deal.
9&10 News spoke with Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow and Republican Congressman Bill Huizenga.
Neither of them seemed very confident that a deal will be reached by the start of 2013 -- but President Obama is still "modestly optimistic" that it could happen.
Both the Republican-led U.S. House and Democrat-led U.S. Senate have already passed bills that they think provide a solution -- but so far, the legislation is at a stand still on the other side.
The common phrase "falling off a fiscal cliff" sounds a bit dramatic... but both sides actually agree that if this January 1st deadline is missed, a strong negative impact on the average American won't be immediately felt.
"I believe something will be agreed to whether its by New Years Eve or the first couple of weeks in January, but during that time this is something that will be phased in pretty slowly," said Stabenow.
"Do I believe that we will be putting together some sort of package of tax relief for middle class and for all tax payers? Yeah, I probably think there will be, I just don't know what that's going to look like," Huizenga said.
Some sort of temporary solution seems possible.
At the White House today, Obama told the nation that "the time for immediate action is now."
9&10's Evan Dean spoke with Michigan lawmakers today and has more on the Fiscal Cliff's impact.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:24 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:24:01 GMT
Deputies discovered more than 900 illegal marijuana plants last night, nearly half of them were ready for picking. Antrim County deputies found 30 plants outside a home in Alden. When they went inside,
Deputies discovered more than 900 illegal marijuana plants last night, nearly half of them were ready for picking. Antrim County deputies found 30 plants outside a home in Alden. When they went inside,
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:19 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:19:46 GMT
A downstate man is charged for driving drunk and causing a death after an accident in Antrim County nearly three months ago.The head on crash happened on Alba Highway near Tobias Road on November 23rd.It
A downstate man is charged for driving drunk and causing a death after an accident in Antrim County nearly three months ago.The head on crash happened on Alba Highway near Tobias Road on November 23rd.It
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:30 AM EDT2013-05-21 10:30:09 GMT
9&10 News will be closely watching power outages throughout our viewing area from the early morning hours into the afternoon and evening. Right now the power outages have been limited to only a few counties. Consumers
9&10 News will be closely watching power outages throughout our viewing area from the early morning hours into the afternoon and evening.
Michigan U.S. Rep. Cohn Conyers is warning about dangers from storing piles of an oil-refining byproduct known as petroleum coke near the Detroit riverfront.
Michigan U.S. Rep. Cohn Conyers is warning about dangers from storing piles of an oil-refining byproduct known as petroleum coke near the Detroit riverfront.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 7:55 PM EDT2013-05-21 23:55:02 GMT
It was a dangerous experience for one man behind the wheel when a tree branch fell onto the cab of his pick-up truck. It happened on Bear River Road, near the Walloon Lake Country Club, where wind damaged
It was a dangerous experience for one man behind the wheel when a tree branch fell onto the cab of his pick-up truck. It happened on Bear River Road, near the Walloon Lake Country Club, where wind damaged
Monday, May 20 2013 5:11 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:11:17 GMT
A former middle school teacher is accused of several crimes involving teenage girls. John Howell was arrested earlier this year. He was a teacher in Sault Ste. Marie before resigning. Police say
A former middle school teacher is accused of several crimes involving teenage girls. John Howell was arrested earlier this year. He was a teacher in Sault Ste. Marie before resigning. Police say
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:13 AM EDT2013-05-22 04:13:10 GMT
Search teams continue to dig through miles of debris ... Looking for survivors and victims in Moore, Oklahoma where entire neighborhoods are flattened and unrecognizable. The tornado has been classified
Search teams continue to dig through miles of debris ... Looking for survivors and victims in Moore, Oklahoma where entire neighborhoods are flattened and unrecognizable. The tornado has been classified
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:08 PM EDT2013-05-22 02:08:29 GMT
It's a familiar sound during summer, but now a proposed law may limit how often it's heard. Proposed legislation in Lansing would limit when fireworks can be shot off. One northern Michigan fireworks
It's a familiar sound during summer, but now a proposed law may limit how often it's heard. Proposed legislation in Lansing would limit when fireworks can be shot off. One northern Michigan fireworks
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:31 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:31:33 GMT
A domestic assault complaint led deputies to nearly 1,000 illegal marijuana plants. Antrim county deputies found 30 plants outside the home in Alden. When they went in the home, there were plenty more
A domestic assault complaint led deputies to nearly 1,000 illegal marijuana plants. Antrim county deputies found 30 plants outside the home in Alden. When they went in the home, there were plenty more
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