Whitmer tells Republicans to 'stop screwing around' on budget they claim she is holding 'hostage'

Republican leaders in Lansing want to focus on the budget and possibly save a plan to fix the state’s roads for a later date.

But Governor Gretchen Whitmer wants to pass the state budget and a comprehensive plan to raise around $2.5 billion for the state’s roads at the same time. As the budget deadline looms (midnight on September 30th), her administration is starting to prepare for a potential shutdown.

“But it’s time for the Republican-led Legislature to get serious, to get back to work, to stop screwing around, and to get it done,” she said.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) says they’ve offered the governor four proposals. But she has said no to each one.

“The citizens of Michigan deserve the certainty of a budget being done," he said. "I can assure there is no reason other than a desire to create a crisis for even contemplation of a government shutdown.”

Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) says Whitmer is holding the budget hostage. He says that’s her way of getting a 45 cent fuel tax increase to fix the roads. Whitmer says Republicans have not offered her any reasonable alternatives to her budget and roads proposals.