State Budget Negotiations Look Promising
Tackling the state's budget continues to take center stage in Lansing. Michigan's new fiscal year begins this Friday and lawmakers are scrambling to erase a $400 million deficit and craft a new budget in order to avoid a government shutdown.
WWJ's Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick is reporting that lawmakers should be able to reach agreement on a budget before the Thursday midnight deadline. Yet, in the Michigan Senate, lawmakers still have to vote to finalize the retirement program for civil servants.
Tim asked the Senate Republican leader: "Is it in your mind looking more and more like a shutdown is possible?" His response, "No, I think all hands are on deck. We have a unified sense of purpose here."
Many organizations, meanwhile, are pushing for reforms - including the Detroit Regional Chamber.
Sarah Hubbard, Vice President of Government Relations at the Chamber, tells WWJ Newsradio 950 that balancing the state budget is vital. She says one way to balance the budget would be to compensate state employees in the same way as those in the private sector.
She went on to say, "This is critical to the business community because if governments can't spend their money more wisely then they're going to look to residents and businesses for more tax money."
Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 and check back with WWJ.com for complete coverage on state budget negotiations.
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