June 10, 2005

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today labeled the budget House Republicans passed yesterday “devastating” to families in the Upper Peninsula and called on Republican lawmakers to stop protecting special interest tax breaks at the expense of children and jobs.

“These cuts will devastate communities and families while costing the state more and threatening our safety.” said Granholm.  “It’s just wrong to protect the special interests instead of children or jobs.”

Newberry Correctional Facility and Camp Manistique will both close under the Republican plan, eliminating 345 jobs in the region.  In addition, the closings will leave the state with more than 1,300 prisoners who may have to be released due to lack of room in remaining facilities.

The Governor was especially critical of the Republicans’ decision to close these two facilities while leaving a less efficient, more expensive youth facility open downstate.  She pointed to a recent Auditor General report that showed the youth prison to be an inefficient prison.  The Newberry facility costs the state $30 less per prisoner per day to operate than the youth prison.

“Making budget decisions that lack any economic justification is the ultimate in cruelty,” said Granholm. 

The Republican budget also makes devastating cuts to Northern Michigan University.  Under their plan, when fully implemented, Northern will lose 31 percent of its funding for 2006.  

# # #