LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Months of budget negotiations between Governor Whitmer and Republican lawmakers are now making progress in Lansing.
Wednesday, negotiations were held in hopes of coming to an agreement on a State budget. The efforts resulted in bipartisan legislation being passed with support from both parties.
Currently, 27 out of 147 items that Whitmer had previously line-item vetoed have had their funding restored, meaning that programs in the area of schools, hospitals, and county jails will receive funding that was previously slashed.
Some Republican lawmakers are pleased with the progress made with the budget.
“We came together as a legislature, both Republicans and Democrats, and made this happen,” Rep. Mike Mueller, R-Linden said. “We didn’t use politics in lieu of public safety to get us back to an unfavorable gas tax that nobody wants.”
Rep. Greg Markkanen, R-Houghton, is also happy with the funding allocated for rural hospitals.
“It’s a critical issue for the U.P., especially for the 110th district where we have 50 to 100 miles in between hospitals,” Markkanen said. “These hospitals provide critical emergency room services. We’re putting our best foot forward with the Governor, this needs to be restored as soon as possible.”
Although a final deal has not been reached, many lawmakers are citing the events of Wednesday as a step in the right direction for both parties.
