The Latest: Whitmer says GOP budget bills are ‘a mess’

LANSING, Mich. – The Latest on the passage of Michigan’s state budget (all times local):

3:40 p.m.

Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says budget bills that have won final approval in the Republican-led Legislature are a “mess.”

Her statement Tuesday shows the uncertainty surrounding the spending measures a week before the next fiscal year starts, after budget talks broke down between her and GOP legislative leaders this month. Whitmer may use her line-item veto power to nix proposed spending.

Some budget bills passed with bipartisan support, including a plan to spend $120 million more to protect drinking water. But others were opposed by Democrats.

Whitmer says cutting general fund spending from department budgets to pay for roads is “backwards.” Republicans say the move is fiscally responsible because Whitmer’s proposed 45-cents-a-gallon gasoline tax increase is dead.

Whitmer is not yet disclosing her plans for signing or vetoing the budget, though it seems unlikely there will be a partial government shutdown.

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12:25 p.m.

The Republican-led Michigan Legislature has begun passing $44.7 billion in proposed spending as it works to complete the next state budget.

Lawmakers on Tuesday are giving final approval to more spending bills, days after they passed the K-12 budget. Talks with Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer broke down weeks ago, and it’s uncertain to what extent she may veto some spending.

A sticking point is road funding.

Whitmer and Democrats oppose Republicans’ planned use of $400 million in one-time general funds in the transportation budget — a routine practice in recent years, but one they say is a Band-Aid approach that tightens other spending that already is being squeezed by a past road-funding deal.

Republicans say using existing revenues prevents the need for Whitmer’s proposed gas tax increase, which is dead.