Following a brief 4-hour government shut down, the state legislature appears to have come to an agreement on the 2008 budget (the 2008 fiscal year starts today).
The legislature agreed upon a small income tax increase and the expansion of the sales tax to some service, in addition to some "government reforms" and more unspecified cuts. While all government services will continue for 30 more days, the budget battle is far from over. Now is the time for the legislature to hammer out the ever-important details of the cuts and reforms.
Hundreds of Michigan organizations, including police and fire agencies, local governments, universities and students, public schools, health care professionals, human service agencies, mental health professionals, organized labor groups, and others have joined together to create the Countdown to Chaos campaign – calling on policymakers to address the fiscal crisis without delay and do it responsibly, without further cuts to programs and services. Their website – www.CountdownToChaos.org – has been counting down to the new fiscal year. It also provides powerful facts about the impacts of budget cuts and gives people an opportunity to tell their legislators what you think. Check out it out!
While the transportation budget is separate and supposedly untouchable, Senate Republicans have proposed taking millions from the transit budget to help balance the state budget. These and other cuts are still possible. It is still important for citizens to contact their legislators sharing their thoughts on how to address budget troubles.