Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has issued a formal legal opinion after a state House committee unilaterally slashed nearly $650 million dollars in appropriated funding for projects across the state.
Nessel says they couldn’t do that.
“Finding that our state constitution does not permit for one committee within one chamber to hold veto authority over a budget that was passed by both the state House and Senate and then signed into law by the governor,” Nessel said.
Republican House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin disagrees with Nessel’s interpretation of the law. Bollin argues when approved funds are not spent, it’s not a guarantee the money is automatically carried over for other uses. She said House Republicans will file a claim against the opinion and seek an injunction to stop the funds from being spent.
All of the funding will now be restored, barring a court order.
