By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING, MI – The state Legislature wrapped late night budget discussions by sending disputes to House and Senate conference committees. That set up the next stage of negotiations between Governor Granholm and legislative leaders while the Legislature takes a two week summer break.
Lawmakers will reconvene in mid-July to debate cuts to Medicaid and K-12 schools, and the elimination of Michigan Promise college scholarships.
House Speaker Andy Dillon says the Promise grants must be funded. He says after the break, the legislators will figure out how big the budget hole is see what must be done to make further cuts. But he says, neither the governor nor the House Democrats want to see a total elimination of scholarships or support for the state's universities.
Republican state senators say the state simply doesn't have the money to fund programs like financial aid and college scholarships.