By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING, MI –
Governor Granholm will present her final budget proposal Thursday to a joint meeting of the state House and Senate appropriations committees.
AUDIO:
The governor will outline her plans to retire a $1.7 billion deficit with a mix of cost-saving measures, cuts and new sources of revenue.
Republican Ron Jelinek chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee. He says the budget should be balanced without new taxes or fees.
"This is a tough budget, and I think we're going to have to address it with some tough cuts and some serious reforms," he says.
But the Democratic chair of the House Appropriations Committee, Representative George Cushingberry, says cuts alone won't balance the budget - new taxes will be needed.
"I've been saying that's the only way to live is to pay as you go," he says.
And taxes are expected to be part of the governor's plan. She's also expected to remind lawmakers of her goal to have the budget done by July 1 - three months before the deadline