LANSING (Great Lakes News) – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan Republicans met behind closed doors this weekend and decided to postpone road funding discussions and focus on passing a working budget. The announcement came after weeks of political back and forth between Democrats and Republicans in Lansing over the potential for a government shutdown come October 1st. This agreement will prevent a government shutdown, but goes against Whitmer’s threat to veto every budget that does not contain meaningful road funding.

“The people of Michigan deserve leadership in Lansing that will work to continue providing them with services they depend on every day,” said the Governor’s office. “In conversations over the weekend, we’ve agreed that the best course of action is to immediately begin target-setting with legislative and executive leadership to get a budget passed by October 1st. We have all agreed to continue conversations about road funding in a meaningful way and table all associated issues for the time being. Right now, our number one priority is getting a budget passed. We look forward to rolling up our sleeves and negotiating on behalf of the people of Michigan.”

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The announcement came after Republicans began to finalize their proposed budget without major additions to road funding. Whitmer scheduled a press conference on Monday to discuss the budget and the Republican’s proposed plan but cancelled the conference after meeting with them.

Whitmer campaigned primarily on her plan to fix Michigan roads and could see a year pass in her governorship without any substantial progress.