Posted on 09/27/2009 7:14:40 AM PDT by george76
Economically beleaguered Michigan faces a possible government shutdown - shuttering highway rest areas, state parks, construction projects and the state lottery - if lawmakers fail to reach a budget deal in the next few days.
The state with the nation's highest unemployment rate has a nearly $3 billion shortfall. Federal recovery act money will fill more than half the gap, but the spending cuts or tax increases needed to fill the rest have caused bitter infighting at the state Capitol.
Michigan is one of just two states whose budget year starts Oct. 1. The other, Alabama, already has a spending plan in place, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. If lawmakers in Lansing don't make progress soon, Michigan could join the eight other states that failed to meet budget deadlines - but did not shut down - this year.
That's something neither Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm nor lawmakers want to do. They're haunted by memories of the fallout from an hours-long government shutdown in 2007 and want to avoid the resulting voter disgust and national derision.
Republicans and Democrats have agreed on is tapping up to $1.5 billion in federal recovery dollars to fill part of the $2.8 billion budget gap.
The question now is whether Michigan will follow the path of the eight other states that failed to pass budgets on time: Arizona, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
California's budget impasse lasted so long the state had to issue IOUs to cover debts. Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rendell had to issue an executive order keeping the government running past June 30 and only recently agreed to let a budget become law without her signature.
Pennsylvania didn't get a budget deal in place until about a week ago.
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.myway.com ...
The State Lottery? Shouldn’t the lottery be a MONEY MAKER for a state??!! Then again, maybe it does depend upon how many cousins, nephews, sons, daughters, campaign contributors and the like are appointed to the “Lottery Commission” by their favorite politicians!
This story does not surprise me but what does surprise me is that there are not more state government shutdowns especially in the liberally run or controlled states such as California, Illinois and Massachusetts just to name a few.
Simple solution. Let it happen, then fire everyone who they decide they can do without while shut down and keep the rest.
“Republicans and Democrats have agreed on is tapping up to $1.5 billion in federal recovery dollars to fill part of the $2.8 billion budget gap.”
When you cant run a state properly, steal from people in other states!
I thought the side of any road was a "rest area"!
The only conclusion I can reach is that the majority of voters in California, Illinois and Massachusetts are to stupid to see the cause and affect of their votes.
The average American has to live on a budget. It should be no different for the government.
So if they “tap the $1.5B in federal money to close the gap” what are they planning to fo next year when the same gap will be there again?
Hey, why don’t they raise taxes again?! idiots
Or keep raising the minimum wage...
Or keep extending unemployment insurance...
Or keep extending unemployment insurance...
Looks like Michigan is now “SHOVEL READY” from all that Porkulus money.
Thank you governor Granholm... you’ve BLOWN US AWAY.
Now PLEASE go back home to Canada!
The government should only be in session for 2 weeks a year. The rest of the time let the dumb a$$ politicians find a legit. job...and quit finding ways to tax us for their pet programs...
These shutdowns are the perfect opportunity for requiring state government employees to submit hair samples for drug and alcohol testing.
The lottery addicted wouldn't notice other things being closed. Have to hit the peons where they live if you need to them to pressure their congress critters.
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