Tentative State Budget Deal Unravels

Close, but no cigar.

A tentative deal struck by Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Republican House Leader Lee Chatfield to resolve the state’s budget crisis was torpedoed by Republican Senate leader Mike Shirkey yesterday.

The bargain would have restored many of the controversial cuts and transfers made by Whitmer when she approved the budget more than a month ago. The plan would have included limits on Whitmer’s ability to use the State Administrative Board to transfer funds within departments.

Shirkey continues to demand that those limits be enacted into law permanently.

The House is scheduled to meet next week, but, with the November deer hunting break looming, there’s a good chance the budget impasse will last into December.

Meanwhile, local governments, schools, hospitals and others affected by the cuts won’t be getting their money.