Oh yeah, this is heading for the cliff once again, Bob Emerson's optimism not withstanding. I've gone back to my 12-step training, "I am powerless over the Legislature, and my blogging about them has become unmanageable..."
Gongwer:
H.F.A. AGREES SUBSTANTIAL CURRENT YEAR DEFICIT EXISTS
Another May budget crisis has presented itself to lawmakers, according to forecasts from the two legislative fiscal agencies.
HOUSE D.C.H. BUDGET DITCHES PHYSICIAN TAX
House Democrats decided against including the governor's recommended 3 percent physician tax in their 2010-11 Department of Community Health budget, but they also disagreed with a 4 percent cut Senate Republicans made to doctors serving Medicaid patients as a budget subcommittee voted Wednesday.
SENATE OKS D.H.S., STATE POLICE BUDGETS
The Senate completed action Wednesday on passing its version of all budget bills as it approved spending plans for the departments of Human Services and State Police that differed significantly from what Governor Jennifer Granholm sought.
STATE SHOWS JOB GROWTH AGAIN AS APRIL UNEMPLOYMENT DIPS
Michigan saw more people working in April as the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate eased slightly to 14 percent, according to figures released Wednesday by the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth.
SANBORN: FIREWORKS BILL NEEDS WORK
The possibility of legalizing consumer-grade fireworks as a way of pay for state fire inspectors through new fees on the businesses selling the fireworks has taken a hit.
STUDENT FINANCIAL AID SEES BOOST UNDER HIGHER ED BUDGET
House lawmakers are looking to reinstate funding for some financial aid programs after the state eliminated the Michigan Promise Scholarship last year.
MIRS:
Bishop: Layoffs, Furloughs Could Close '10 Hole
"Senate Majority Leader Mike BISHOP (R-Rochester) today said that layoffs and furloughs could be the way to plug a potential $500 million leak in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 General Fund."
Dems: DHS Budget Could Violate Settlement
"Democrats sounded the alarm that Michigan could violate the Children's Rights lawsuit due to the low staffing levels the Senate is funding in its Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 Department of Human Services (DHS) budget that passed today."
Emerson: 'I Think They Can Do It'
"State Budget Director Bob EMERSON told MIRS today he believes the Legislature could get the budget taken care of by mid-summer."