House Speaker Optimistic Budget Will Be Done

whitmerchatfield-2
whitmerchatfield-2

The 45¢ per gallon gas tax increase proposed by Governor Whitmer in her budget is dead, but talks continue on the budget between Republican leaders in the Legislature and Whitmer. House Speaker Lee Chatfield says a deal will be done in time.

“I remain optimistic that we’re going to have a road solution and a budget done by September 30th,” Chatfield told reporters on the House floor.

September 30 is when the current fiscal year ends. Without a deal, state government would shut down on October 1. Word that the governor’s fuel tax hike won’t go anywhere comes from House Democratic Leader Christine Grieg of Farmington Hills.