LANSING, MI (AP)-- Michigan's budget director attributes an expected surplus to lower public assistance caseloads and smaller-than-expected tax refunds owed to businesses but says the Snyder administration will be conservative with the money.
John Roberts told The Associated Press Wednesday that companies may redeem their business tax credits this fiscal year instead of last year, so he wants to be "very conservative" with planning. Economists will meet Thursday to finalize revenue projections before Governor Rick Snyder outlines his budget in February.
Roberts declines to say how the surplus could be used until numbers are final, but mentions "infrastructure" — which could include transportation, IT and buildings. He also says Flint's water crisis will be a priority.
Cost pressures include expensive new specialty drugs for Medicaid recipients with Hepatitis C and cystic fibrosis.
