Michigan lawmakers rush to finalize budget for next fiscal year

LANSING, Mich. (CBS DETROIT) — Michigan lawmakers are running out of time to finalize the budget before the end of the session.

It will be a busy 24 hours at the Capitol as the Legislature works to finalize the budget before the end of the session on Thursday. Among the lawmakers working Wednesday was controversial state Rep. Neil Friske, who After his recent arrest, he is accused of sexual abuse.

CBS News Detroit spoke to lawmakers from both parties about the arrest, but the general response was, “No comment.”

The state budget for the coming fiscal year, which begins in October, is around $80 billion, of which around $20 billion will go to public education.

Education groups have expressed their concerns about how the money for public school teachers’ pensions will be distributed today. Thursday of this week is the last day of session for lawmakers before they go on summer recess.

“I think it’s irresponsible to everyone in the House and the Senate to see it and vote on it on the same day,” said state Rep. Donni Steele (R-Orion Township).

Republican lawmakers, who are the minority party, must hurry to read the budget bill before voting on it. Steele said she would have liked to see more funding for infrastructure in this budget.

“I’m just waiting for the bill to be introduced, then I’ll run around and try to read it quickly and vote no. That’s my plan for today,” Steele said.

In the past 40 years, when Republicans were in the majority, the voting situation was reversed.

“Well, I’ve served two terms in the minority and am currently serving one term in the majority, and I remember what that feels like,” said state Rep. Rachel Hood.

Hood said she was pleased with the budget, especially with school funding.

“This year our budget is a little tighter than in the past because we replaced all the federal funding with one-time expenses, but we were still able to find creative ways to ensure our schools remain intact,” Hood said.