They're decisions that could change the lives of thousands in a hurry.

"It's just that these are really tough decisions," Rep. Joan Bauer says.

Because all of the low hanging fruit has already been cut.

"It's just that we've been cutting or trying to rearrange state government on a small scale--we've been chewing around the corners of the cookie for around eight years, and it just has never gotten any better," Rep. Paul Opsommer explains.

And now the legislature knows it's time to get down to the nitty gritty, it's the only option when a $1.8 million shortfall has to be erased before the first of October.

The fate of the promise scholarship and the future of a lot of students are on the line says Representative Barb Byrum.

"When the state of Michigan makes a promise to recent grads, we need to keep that promise, if you want a strong state, the last thing you do is attack education, when you want a good future you don't attack education," Byrum tells us.

Another sticking point over at the Capital is what's supposed to be the new MSP headquarters-- Rep. Rick Jones says it makes no sense to allow state police to move in-- in Michigan's current state.

"There's nothing wrong with that building and we should stay there to 2030," Jones explains.

Because he says it makes no since to cut troopers, yet have a brand new building for the remaining to work in, but Rep. Bauer says it's possible to have the best of both worlds.

"We have to find the money to save those jobs and also go ahead with the building," Bauer explains.