LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Six weeks after Michigan’s July 1 budget deadline, the state House has yet to introduce its version of the budget bills. Instead, Republicans briefly shifted attention Tuesday to a resolution that would have delayed lawmakers’ pay if they failed to pass the budget on time.
The proposal, a House Joint Resolution that could have become a constitutional amendment, was put up for a vote with little notice. It fell short by just three votes after 30 Democrats voted against it.
“This will force the politicians to have skin in the game and have the urgency to do it instead of jerking everybody around for months and months and months and walking away like the Democrats did,” said House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township).
Democrats pushed back, arguing the rushed process left no room for negotiation. “We had 25 minutes to prepare for it,” said Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton). “Of course there should be accountability, but the reality is that you have one man holding everything hostage right here.”
The measure would have required two-thirds support in both chambers before heading to voters in 2026. That meant the earliest it could take effect was the 2028 fiscal year, with no impact on the current budget impasse.
“We don’t want to see what happened this year to happen again,” said Rep. Ann Bollin (R-49th District). “It’s something that I think we should all take very seriously.”
Behind closed doors, Republicans are continuing to review their budget proposals, but leaders remain divided on when they will move forward. Bollin has suggested the bills could be introduced as soon as next week, while Hall says action is unlikely before Labor Day.
