By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING, MI – The Republican leader of the state Senate says Governor Granholm will open herself to a constitutional challenge if she tries to use line-item vetoes to fund her budget priorities. Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop says the governor risks over-stepping her authority.
"The Legislature is here for a purpose, and that is to pass these budgets and do so in a timely and effective way," he says. "We passed a balanced budget and to usurp the powers of the Legislature here is unwarranted."
Bishop says the governor cannot move money into her preferred programs without the approval of the Legislature.
Governor Granholm says she will use her line-item veto power to free money that could be used to fund college scholarships and restore proposed cuts to Medicaid and local governments.