DETROIT – It has been two and a half months since Michigan lawmakers missed their deadline on July 1 to get a budget passed.
Now, they only have two weeks to get everyone on the same page before a government shutdown.
State lawmakers have until Oct. 1 to pass the budget, but so far, no one is willing to budge.
“My budget team will continue to participate in all the conversations, but putting up the votes and passing the budget is the legislature’s responsibility,” said Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
If there is a government shutdown, that means state workers might not get paid, school districts could lose programs like free lunches, state parks might close, and some road projects could be put on hold.
Local 4 spoke with Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt, who is also running for governor.
“We can get this done; we have two weeks. So, my plan is to work with my colleagues and pay down debt and help families lower their costs,” said Nesbitt.
With the state house and senate at a stalemate, Local 4 also spoke with Al Pscholka, the former state budget director under Governor Rick Snyder.
“Some of it is just annoying, right? Maybe state parks being closed, drawbridge is being up, if you’re dealing with state government, waiting for a business license or something like that — that may be delayed,” said Pscholka. “The bigger worry is this could impact the state’s credit rating. Credit rating agencies look very closely at things like budget instability—Are you getting your work done on time?”
The Michigan DNR also said it would have to lay off hundreds of staff members, and its programs will be impacted if the state government shuts down.