LANSING — Michigan House Republicans are proposing a budget plan that could slash hundreds of millions of dollars for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

Republicans say that their proposal would cut dozens of empty positions at the department, while Democrats argue that the changes would endanger the environment and human heath.

The plan would eliminate the equivalent of more than 240 positions at EGLE, including 116 positions for water quality programs.

“We talk about growing our population, but who would want to move here if we can’t offer at a bare minimum, clean water and air?” said Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou, (D) District 75, East Lansing.

That cut comes in at $200 million, close to 20% of the department’s annual budget.

State Rep. Cam Cavitt, who led the commi

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