Granholm addresses budget concerns over radio
Gov. Jennifer Granholm opened up discussion on the looming $920 million state budget deficit to a statewide listening audience Monday with two hours of explanation.Granholm first appeared on Michigan Government Television and then on Michigan Public Radio taking phone calls and challenging citizens to suggest where they prefer cuts, calling the practice a "good exercise of democracy."Republicans have criticized the budget tour as delaying the decision and not allowing segments of government enough time to prepare.Granholm says the budget deficits are caused by a gloomy national economy and tax cuts during the '90s by the state.The governor said she will balance the $38.6 billion budget predominately by making cuts, but she is looking at possible tax or fee increases, including a halt in a scheduled income tax rollback that could save the state $115 million."It doesn't do the whole trick, but it may soften some of the blow," she said.
