June 10, 2005

BY CHRIS CHRISTOFF

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

With no Democratic votes, the state House on Thursday approved a Republican-written budget plan for next year that proposes nearly $600 million less for human services than Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposal.

Earlier in the day, Granholm promised to veto the $40-billion spending plan, which she said would cast tens of thousands of children and seniors off welfare and Medicaid rolls with no place to go. The plan also slashes funding for the Michigan Economic Development Corp.

"It will not pass my desk," Granholm told a crowd during a Capitol rally for improved long-term care.

The 58-52 vote, divided by straight party lines, came after a lengthy debate in which Democrats sharply criticized the GOP for catering to corporate interests at the expense of poor children, senior citizens and economic development. House Democrats and Granholm called for eliminating tax breaks to business interests instead.

Republicans countered that their budget would protect the most vulnerable people without a tax increase.

The budget plan goes to the Senate, where it is expected to undergo changes