Feds fail to pass one-year budget

The demise of a one-year funding bill in the U.S. Senate means that Congress will need to pass a continuing resolution to keep the federal government operating past the end of the year. 

What was thought to be a bi-partisan effort fell apart as the bill's 6,000 earmarks seemingly made members too skittish to support in the end.  This also means that the plan to provide transportation funding for one full year will also succumb to a temporary extension.

The continuing resoultion now under consideration would fund the government until February 18th.

Arnold Weinfeld covers federal issues for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.