State Rep. Jason Woolford (R-Howell) issued the following statement after Senate Democrats adjourned session and left Lansing early on during the day of Michigan’s statutory budget deadline, effectively dooming budget negotiations:

“What we saw out of the Democrat-led Senate today was nothing short of an abdication of duty. They let down the people they were supposed to represent, giving up on negotiation talks over the budget while the Michigan House stayed well into the evening trying to get a deal done.

“House Republican leadership has been trying to get Senate Democrats to the table for weeks to avoid a government shut down. Their refusal to work with us is incredibly disappointing. While we passed a commonsense, fiscally responsible budget plan with record amounts of per-pupil funding across the state, they repeatedly sabotaged our efforts on behalf of Michigan families and Michigan kids.

“This culminated in them walking out of their jobs when their constituencies needed them most. The father of one of the members of our caucus died today, and even he still remained in Lansing to dutifully represent his district. House Republicans will continue to do our job and get a budget plan across the finish line in time to avoid a government shutdown, but if we are successful, it will only be in spite of Senate Democrats, not because of their help.”