LANSING (WKZO AM/FM) — There are three days left in a lame duck session that has already generated more than its share of controversy. There is enough time and plenty of money to create more.
There is as much as $371-million from unanticipated tax revenues and nearly $100-million in unspent funding from state agencies that lawmakers could allocate before heading home for Christmas, many for the last time.
Governor Snyder recommends it be spent it on roads, new caseworkers for Child Protective Services, the Soo Locks, PFAS contamination and he would toss the rest into the Rainy Day Fund.
Some say the portion coming from internet sales taxes should go into the School Aid fund. Some would like to spend that money it on higher education.
There is no shortage of needs and reportedly no shortage of proposals from lawmakers hoping to bring a share of the money to their home districts for pet projects. Some conservative lawmakers have also said it should be returned to taxpayers.
They could leave some of it at the Capitol. There has been a long standing recommendation from the Michigan State Capitol Commission for a Capitol Visitor Center that would take the pressure of tens of thousands of visitors each year off the aging structure.
Given predictions that the economy may soon begin to slow down, they could leave it on the books for the next legislature to spend. Democrats fear it could be used to further undermine the incoming Whitmer administration, given what has gone on during this Lame Duck session so far.
There is plenty to watch for as the lawmakers break for the finish line of this two year session.
