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Legislature working through state budget

LANSING, MI (AP)--   Michigan lawmakers are taking significant steps toward passing the next state budget, expected to total about $48 billion. 

The Republican-controlled House on Wednesday approved all spending for schools and colleges, which would get an overall 2 percent funding boost. Democrats said it's not enough.

The House also passed a budget for the rest of state government along party lines.

The GOP-led Senate was approving about half its budget plan, with plans to complete the rest next week.

The moves set the stage for negotiations in May with a goal of finishing by June. Republicans so far have no plans to back Governor Rick Snyder's call to make more residents eligible for government-funded health insurance. They also oppose his calls for higher gasoline taxes and license plate fees to maintain roads.

Nicole was born near Detroit but has lived in the U.P. most of her life. She graduated from Marquette Senior High School and attended Michigan State and Northern Michigan Universities, graduating from NMU in 1993 with a degree in English.