Michigan lawmakers are continuing negotiations on the state budget ahead of the October 1 deadline, with key issues sparking debate between House Republicans and the Democrat-controlled Senate.

State Representative Brad Paquette, R-Niles, described the talks as “contentious, but for the best reasons,” citing ongoing discussions over what he calls corporate welfare, transparency in legislative spending, and road funding.

Paquette said House Republicans are pushing to end so-called corporate welfare programs and require lawmakers to publicly associate themselves with specific “pork projects” to increase accountability.

“We want it all to be transparent,” he said, noting past controversies where taxpayer dollars were allocated without adequate oversight.

Road funding and school lunch prog

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