They didn't really say that, of course, but tonight they are still clamoring for a continuation budget instead of doing their job.
Not sure where that number is coming from, but both Mark Schauer and Liz Boyd have used it.
"We don't have a continuation problem. We have a procrastination problem," said Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek.
He said the budget hole will deepen $125 million for every 30 days a continuation budget is in effect. He said there are Senate Republicans ready to compromise and called on Bishop to "let your people go."
Bishop did let his people go - home for the night.
DeRoche went back to running his mouth and emphasizing the divide among the Republicans. Everyone knows an increase is coming, but DeRoche apparently still receives his talking points from Saul through that little chip in his head.
"The only thing worse for Michigan's economy than a tax increase would be a government shutdown. ... It's irresponsible."
And adding more to our debt is responsible... how? Craig didn't say. He just wants 30 more days to annoy the hell out of everybody.
In another ironic twist, DeRoche is demanding that Granholm release her shutdown plan now! right now! at the same time he insists lawmakers get another month to complete their task.
House Republicans demanded that Democrats approve a 30-day continuation budget. They blasted Granholm for being "reckless" in not providing details of what a shutdown would mean.
Doesn't the hypocrisy make your head hurt after awhile?
Starting to think this committee is not all it's cracked up to be. What Dillon was "hoping for for weeks" sat on the sidelines today.
A bipartisan House-Senate conference committee convened briefly Wednesday to consider an income tax increase, but took a break immediately awaiting the results of negotiations between Granholm, Bishop and Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon. The panel planned to reconvene Thursday morning.
Well, that was a helpful move, wasn't it Speaker Dillon. Are they just cover for whatever both you and Bishop finally decide? Going to pass the buck to this panel so they can take the heat? We will find out.
Tomorrow is the day. Either they get some sort of agreement, or Friday they start to move to bring this train to halt. Hey, takes some time to stop something this big, especially if a weekend is involved, and nobody is really sure how to do it anyway.
Thursday is shaping up as a crucial day in the negotiations between Granholm, Republicans who run the Senate and Democrats who hold the majority in the House.
Some lawmakers say it's the deadline to adopt a temporary budget extension so some state payments aren't missed early next week. Others say they might have until Sunday to craft a temporary deal. A continuation budget hasn't been passed in Michigan since 1980, so there's no clear roadmap on how to do it.
24 hours to go... give or take. Go stock up on your liquor and license plate tabs. Whichever you need the most.
There is more on this from me today over at BFM- not going to cross post it all.