LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Legislature on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill to lift a new July 1 deadline by which it is supposed to send a budget to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
The legislation, which she plans to sign, would delay the requirement until 2021 due to uncertainty over a revenue shortfall caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Michigan’s fiscal year does not start until Oct. 1. While lawmakers typically try to finalize the spending plan months in advance, the true deadline is Sept. 30.
The Democratic governor and Republican-led Legislature last December agreed to enact a law requiring that lawmakers pass a budget by July 1, following a bruising and lengthy impasse over road funding and budget vetoes.
Both the Senate and House voted unanimously to wait until 2021, citing the need for an additional revenue-estimating conference in August following economic restrictions due to the virus outbreak.
