The GOP-led legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer have reached a budget deal to avoid a government shutdown before next fiscal year.
Budget officials welcomed the deal.
“The past year and a half has been difficult for all of our families and communities. Meeting their needs – from jobs to education to government responsibility – is at the center of today’s budget deal, ”said Senate Speaker Jim Stamas, R-Midland, in a press release. “By working together, our divided Michigan government has shown what can be accomplished when Michigan families come first. Michigan families are counting on us to invest in them. This budget does that by laying the foundation for a healthy economy for Michigan’s future. I thank House Supply Speaker Thomas Albert, Budget Director David Massaron and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their cooperation.
The announced budget deal says the legislature will move forward with an omnibus budget – covering funding for all state departments and agencies for the next fiscal year.
Over the summer, executives landed a $ 17 billion K-12 education budget despite 16 months of wrangling over a COVID-19 response.
“This is an important step forward,” Albert, R-Lowell, said in a statement. “A historic investment in schools has already been finalized, and we are now close to completing work on other parts of the state budget that will help meet the needs of Michigan residents and continue the recovery. state after the COVID pandemic. I want to thank Budget Director Massaron and Senate Speaker Stamas for their work, and look forward to the budget votes soon.
The budget process is expected to unfold as normal with conference committees and a room vote over the coming week. Whitmer’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
“I am very happy that we now have a budget agreement and I would like to thank Senator Stamas and Representative Albert for the good working relationship we have forged during this process,” said Massaron. “It’s a budget that’s good for Michigan. This reflects the shared priorities that will move Michigan forward as we continue to emerge from the pandemic as an even stronger state. ”
The new fiscal year begins October 1.
