LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The Michigan Senate has approved three budget bills as it tries to meet an Oct. 1 deadline to get a budget agreement in place.
Budgets for the judicial system, military and veterans affairs department, and the state labor agency were approved Thursday by the Republican-led chamber. Many Democrats voted against the bills.
A partial government shutdown could occur if lawmakers and Gov. Jennifer Granholm can't agree on an overall budget plan. Most of the budget bills are still under discussion.
Democrats remain opposed to cuts to college scholarships and other programs. They're considering tax increases to make the cuts unnecessary.
The only other budget bill to pass a chamber so far is the community colleges budget passed by the House.
A new poll indicates about 6 of every 10 Michigan voters want lawmakers to use a combination of spending cuts and tax increases to balance the state's budget.
The survey released Thursday by EPIC-MRA of Lansing says a cuts-only approach was favored by about a quarter of respondents, while 5 % said increases alone should be used.
Roughly two-thirds said they supported ending some corporate tax exemptions to raise more revenue. But only one-third would support a higher income tax. About 60% said they favored a graduated income tax or expanding the sales tax to luxury and non-essential items.
The survey polled 800 likely Michigan voters between Sept. 16 and Monday. It has a margin of sampling error of plus or minus 3.5% points.
Michigan lawmakers have until next Thursday to eliminate a $2.8 billion deficit.
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