LANSING – Late Wednesday afternoon there are still no agreements between lawmakers and the administration on budget and tax proposals for the Michigan 2007-08 budget. The Senate finished a brief session earlier Wednesday and Senate leaders said the chamber would be in session on Sunday to act on bills the House passed Tuesday night.
The House meanwhile has not yet started action, and leaders have advised reporters to expect another night approaching midnight before activities are completed.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm brought reporters in to hear from another group worried about the effect a shutdown could have on them (this time it was from educators) and still expressed optimism that a solution could be found based on conversations and negotiations underway.
But Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester), backed by almost his entire caucus, blasted Democrats during a press conference in which he said Democrats are irresponsibly flirting with a government shutdown in order to force a “massive” tax increase. Senate Republicans are willing to find solutions to the crisis, Bishop said, but said he was unwilling to compromise on the idea that there must be a downsizing of government.
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