LANSING – With three weeks left in the month, House Speaker Andy Dillon remains hopeful lawmakers will complete a budget plan in June that will both close the current year deficit and provide appropriations for the 2010-11 fiscal year.

Dillon said meetings on the current-year deficit were held Tuesday and more would occur Wednesday.

And Rep. George Cushingberry Jr. (D-Detroit), chair of the House Appropriations Committee, said because the revenue picture is getting better for the state it makes it easier for lawmakers to get a budget done on time.

But while the House moved on another budget Tuesday (see related story), it still has to vote on appropriations for the departments of Transportation (HB 5889 , SB 1164 ), Human Services (HB 5882 , SB 1158 ) and Corrections (SB 1153 ).

Dillon indicated the chamber could vote on the remaining budgets yet this week.

“I can’t speak for the Senate, but I think there is a sentiment in both chambers to get things done in June,” Dillon told reporters.

Sen. Ron Jelinek (R-Three Oaks), chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said the House needs to pass its remaining four budgets. The Senate already has passed every budget bill.

“The only thing I can say is I don’t see any reason why we can’t meet that deadline,” Jelinek said. “If we get them into conference, then we set targets and we move. They’ve just got to send us real budgets that can go to conference.”

Jelinek said the Legislature should complete the budget by June 30 even if it means top legislative leaders have to run the process instead of the Appropriations subcommittee chairs.

Whether a 2010-11 budget plan will include an incentive for state workers to retire still remains in limbo.

Lawmakers got projections from the administration showing a retirement package (SB 1226 ) comparable to what school employees recently received would save the state’s general fund around $100 million next year.

Dillon said he is questioning whether it’s fair to require all state employees to pay 3 percent of their salary toward retirement when some don’t choose to work for the state very long and wouldn’t see that long-term benefit. He said teaching is more of a career path than some positions within state employee ranks.

But he said teachers shouldn’t be treated differently than state employees.

He also expressed concern for having enough votes in the House for a state worker package after the teacher plan won narrow approval.

“I mean we’ll try. I don’t know if I have the votes for it,” Dillon said.

This story was provided by Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on Gongwer.Com

a>>