LANSING, MI (AP)-- Michigan lawmakers are backing legislation that would waive a requirement that they pass the next state budget in less than three weeks, citing uncertainty over a major shortfall caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Stamas, a Republican, said Thursday he'll push for passage of the Democratic-sponsored bill. It would, for one year, lift the new July 1 deadline by which legislators must send Gov. Gretchen Whitmer a spending plan for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1.
The Republican-led Senate also urged Congress to give the state flexibility to use federal relief aid to fill budget holes.
