By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-925444.mp3
LANSING, MI –
Governor Granholm approved a handful of budgets Thursday, which means about half of the state budget is complete. But as Michigan Public Radio's Laura Weber reports, there's still a lot of work to be done.
AUDIO:
Several months ago there was a feeling among lawmakers that the budget could be done well before the October 1 deadline. Legislative leaders even went so far as to set self-imposed deadlines of June 1, and then September 1. Now, with the budget only half complete, lawmakers have only one week left to finalize the deal.
The biggest hurdles seem to be funding for the Department of Human Services, a deal on a second bridge span from Detroit to Canada, and a proposal to require state workers to contribute more to their retirement plans.
It's been a long week at the state Capitol, with heated debates between lawmakers often confused by changing details of budget negotiations. It's unclear if the Legislature will be able to wrap up work this week, but it seems finishing the budget will once again push up against that October 1 deadline.