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 Budget Update as of Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2009 at 5 p.m.

With only a week to go before the deadline to balance the state budget, my fellow lawmakers and I are focused on moving forward as quickly as we can in order to avoid a government shutdown.

 The situation is evolving, but I'll update you on what's going on as of now:

•  Seven of the 15 bipartisan House-Senate conference committees have reported their compromise budgets to the full Legislature for a vote. They are: Agriculture, Higher Education, Judiciary, Economic Development, Community Colleges, State Police and School Aid.
• The House this morning approved the first of these budgets, Community Colleges. I joined my colleagues in voting to maintain funding for these versatile schools, which provide thousands of our residents with affordable access to the training they need to obtain 21st century jobs.
• The Conference committee on School Aid also is nearing completion of a conference report that will be sent to each chamber for approval.  The bill contains deep cuts for school funding, mixed with stimulus dollars.  Many of the cuts were rolled into a general cut to foundation grants to provide local districts with some more flexibility.  Despite all the cuts, the Pontiac school district did maintain a special     $300, 000 dollar grant. 

 The conference committees continue to work through their budgets as we speak to find the necessary level of cuts.  Some program funding, such as the 21st Century job fund, may be re-allocated to other important programs in the budget.

As predicted, our largest and most important programs are facing serious cuts.  We have a significant deficit, and need to ensure we balance the budget by September 30th.  The stimulus funding is being used in some budgets to stave off other cuts.  At this point, we will continue working late every night, until solutions are found.  As we work to come to agreements with our colleagues in the senate, all options will be discussed remain on the table.

 I will send further updates as developments occur. Please feel free to forward this update to anyone you think is interested in knowing what's happening at the Capitol. And please feel free to e-mail me at timmelton@house.mi.gov. I am eager to hear your ideas and concerns.