Will the budget be done on time?

Probably. That was the consensus of a group of area Democratic legislators today. The only hitch in the process, they said, is that in this election year the level of partisanship in Lansing has increased.

Rep. Joan Bauer (D-Lansing), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, today said the budget is on track to be passed and signed by the governor by June 30.

"I'm absolutely committed to that because after last year, it's really important that we do that," she said. "The feeling and the tenor is much much better - it's a different feeling."

Rep. Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing), said the biggest reason for that - aside from the common recognition that to delay until the state shuts down is a disaster - is that no tax increases are on the table.

However, Meadows said the election has changed the dynamic in the House, lending even less of a willingness to compromise.

"I see more partisanship this year than last year," he said. "We're seeing more gamesmanship every day."

One other interesting point of note, which bodes poorly for an on-time budget and compromises: The only person who was at the negotiation table last year who won't be this year - Brighton Republican Chris Ward - essentially lost his leadership position in the House GOP caucus because of his vote for a tax to balance the budget.

Comments

[amac]

The level of political partisanship at the State Capitol has RISEN?

Given the level of political partisanship at the State Capitol last year, I'm amazed it had room to expand.

[KG-1]

Maybe its a sense of their own mortality at the polls?

With the oncoming recall of dillon, the capitol criters are most likely having second thoughts at spending money like a crack-head given carte blanche.

One can only hope...