LANSING, Mich. (WZMQ) – Michigan lawmakers are finally pulling back the curtain on what’s included in the long-awaited state budget deal. While a stopgap measure signed early this morning keeps the government running for another week, leaders say the framework of the final plan is already in place.
The continuation resolution extends last year’s budget by $1.5 billion until October 8, but House Appropriations Chair Rep. Ann Bollin (R-Brighton) says negotiations have produced a bipartisan agreement on major funding priorities.
Bollin said the plan includes a $10,050 per pupil allowance for K-12 schools, dedicated funding for free breakfast and lunch in public schools, the elimination of more than 2,000 “phantom jobs”, and plans to reduce government waste by closing or selling underused office buildings.
Bollin says the budget also strengthens accountability, requiring committee hearings before special project funding can move forward.
“We insisted that if there was going to be any Senate priorities that were earmarks, that we had to have some sort of a hearing,” Bollin said. “While it may be a little clunky these last couple of days, we have actually pivoted to this being a permanent change.”
Lawmakers now have until the end of the day on October 8 to pass the full budget. They plan to continue negotiations this week, breaking only to observe Yom Kippur on Thursday.
