If this isn't an indication that the Senate Republicans have no intention of protecting the best interests of Michigan citizens, I don't know what is. What does it take until people realize they are in this for the game alone? Do we actually have to shut down the government?
The Senate passed a continuation last week. Now, because it's politically advantageous to do so, they are balking at putting their own bill into effect.
The Senate has balked at the pressure, saying Granholm could sign off on the continuation budget and then veto all of the tough budgets hammered out by the House and Senate. Matt Marsden, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, said Granholm is trying to put herself into a budget process she's only been marginally involved in. He said 2 p.m. is a phony deadline.
"She's desperately trying to interject herself back into control," Marsden said. "What motivation does the House have to pass the tough cuts they must make if there is a continuation budget?"
House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, said the House acted on the Senate version of the continuation budget in good faith. It's time for the Senate Republicans to give immediate effect to their own bill, he said.
"Bad things start happening" about 2 p.m., the speaker said. He added the House put up some tough votes this morning and "we made good progress." He predicted the budget will be done by the end of the day.
It's all about "motivating the House" to do the Senate Republican bidding. Consideration for the rest of the state does not apply.
Get a clue, House Democrats. Please. Before it's too late. The Republicans are not going to do anything to help you - they want these cuts to happen FOR A REASON. If you can't figure out what that is, perhaps you need to get out of politics.