Whitmer Uses Line-Item Veto – 147 Times – On GOP’s Michigan Budget

LANSING — Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Monday used her line-item veto power to cut nearly $1 billion from the Republican-led Legislature’s $59.9 billion budget while declaring other parts of its plan unconstitutional and unenforceable.

The first-term Democrat signed all 16 budget bills at 7 p.m., five hours before the start of the state’s new fiscal year Oct. 1. That prevented a government shutdown, but upped the ante in a months-long standoff with Republicans over the budget.

Among her vetoes: Plans to spend $375 million for state roads, which Whitmer has long contended need at least $1.9 billion in repairs. She has proposed a 45 cent per gallon gas tax, and has said she wants to resume negotiations toward a long-term funding solution.