(WWJ) There's a deal on a new state budget, just a few days ahead of the deadline -- hopefully averting a government shutdown in Michigan.
It came as a surprised, as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, and Speaker of the House Matt Hall Thursday evening announced an agreement on the School Aid budget and state budget that includes additional nearly $2 billion per year to fix local and state roads.
In a news release, Whitmer's office said the agreement ensures top priorities for both Democrats and Republicans are included in the bipartisan budget, which will lower Michiganders’ costs, reduce waste and increase government efficiency, and help Michiganders thrive.
“Today’s agreement in the legislature puts us on a path to lower costs, fix the damn roads, and pass a balanced, bipartisan budget by October 1,” said Whitmer. “I am grateful to Majority Leader Brinks, Speaker Hall, and legislators on both sides of the aisle for working hard to move this budget forward. In Michigan, we’ve proven again and again that we can work together to get things done by staying focused on the kitchen-table issues that make a real difference in people’s lives. Amid so much national economic uncertainty, I am proud that we are taking action to lower costs, cut taxes for seniors and working families, create jobs, fund schools, fix roads, keep people safe and healthy, and so much more.”
The administration and legislative leaders will continue meeting to finalize and pass the budget.
The deadline is 12:01 a.m. on Oct.1. That's when current funding runs out.
“We have an opportunity here to reform Michigan’s broken process and get much better value for the taxpayers,” said Speaker of the House Matt Hall. “There is still work to be done, but it is an important step that all of us are agreeing to implement meaningful tax relief for Michigan workers and seniors, bring transparency and accountability to the earmark process for the first time, and eliminate ghost employees. Government has grown far too much in recent years, and we need to trim the waste, fraud and abuse in Lansing. That’s how we can afford the real priorities of Michigan families – like education, public safety, and fixing our local roads and bridges. This agreement puts us in position to do just that.”
“The people of Michigan deserve a budget that makes their daily lives better — a budget that boosts education, improves roads, and protects healthcare," said Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks. "The framework we have agreed to reflects the priorities of Michiganders from every region, and while no budget will be a perfect product, I am confident that the final result we vote on next week will have features that benefit every resident.”
This comes as schools, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and other departments were scrambling to make decisions ahead of an expected government shutdown.
Many questions remain, as details of the budget plan were not immediately released.
Stay with WWJ for the latest updates on this developing story.