The budget showdown between Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the state legislature didn’t end at the deadline, it still continues in Lansing.
In the final days, the legislature passed their budget which was not signed by the Governor until she made significant line item vetoes.
Nearly $1 billion cut out and another $600 million shifted and now the two sides fight on what to do with that open money.
The Republicans in the legislature say the budget is done.
The budget being done means there will be no more supplemental bills passed to fill in the vetoes taken out by Gov. Whitmer. But not everyone is buying that.
“I know the rhetoric of the budget is done,” says Senator Curtis Hertel, Democrat from East Lansing, “I don’t think anyone in this room actually feels that way.”
The two sides agreed enough to avoid a government shutdown but several programs and departments were hit hard by line item vetoes and transfers.
“We did expect some vetoes, not quite $1 billion,” says Senator Jim Stamas, Republican from Midland, “Again, I think the larger elephant in the room is the movement of over a half a billion dollars.”
The GOP leaders want the governor to give up some of the power of the State Administration Board, which can be used to take a budget within a department and change how it is spent.
“From a legislative standpoint, I make it very clear I cannot appropriate anymore money and send it to the administration unless we have some real assurance that that’s where that money will be spent,” says Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield, Republican from Levering, “There needs to be some restrictions on the administrative board.”
“I’ve been pretty clear that I’m not going to abrogate executive authority,” says Gov. Whitmer, “I am very willing to say I’m not going to use the executive powers and we will live up to this agreement but they need to be able to do the same.”
The appropriation chairs hinted at possible supplemental bills as soon as next week but until then the showdown continues with both sides pointing across the aisle for blame.
“What everyone should be doing is demanding that we get in the room work together,” says Sen. Hertel, “And solve these problems for the people of Michigan.”
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