HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — News that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state lawmakers have agreed to move forward on a budget while settin aside the hot-button road-funding issue elicited praise from Casco Township Republican Rep. Mary Whiteford.
“It’s time to focus on 99 percent of the budget, right?” Whiteford said. “Which is making sure our schools are funded, making sure that our health care is funded, our agriculture — all the different things we do as a state. The whole roads issue is a big deal. So, let’s separate that off.”
She, like some other lawmakers, struck a more-bipartisan tone than has been heard during past administrations.
“I have so much respect for the Governor and the legislative leaders, that we’re going to do that, we’re going to finish this and we’re going to reconvene those (road funding) conversations — and not hold anybody hostage, (and instead) make sure everybody has certainty, which is what this is all about,” she said.
The consequences of not getting the budget done — and the risk of enduring a shutdown of state offices — appears to be one of the motivating factors for both sides. Gov. Whitmer has not been able to convince a majority of lawmaker in either party to support her proposed 45-cent-per-gallon gas tax.
