By Associated Press
UNDATED – House Speaker Andy Dillon says democrats who control the Michigan House could start passing revised budget bills next week for the fiscal year that starts October 1st. His Wednesday comments came after republican lawmakers and democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm said they're anxious for house democrats to pass their version of legislation addressing a $2.7 billion dollar budget shortfall so final budget negotiations can take place. The Republican-led Senate has approved $1.2 billion in budget cuts that, along with federal recovery money, could balance the state's budget. Granholm prefers cuts of about $572 million dollars on top of those she proposed earlier this year. Granholm also would raise about $685 million dollars more through taxes or entertainment tickets, cigarettes and some services while reducing tax exemptions.