Voices support for police and firefighters, Michigan Promise scholarship, nursing homes

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today signed a continuation budget that will prevent a partial shutdown of state government while pledging to fight for the priorities of Michigan families in the budget for the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

"Michigan's constitution demands that a balanced budget be in place when our new fiscal year begins, but Michigan's future demands more," Granholm said. "Our future demands a budget that helps diversify our economy and create jobs, a budget that keeps police and fire officers on the streets of our communities, a budget that helps our kids afford to go to college. This temporary measure will maintain critical services while we continue to strive for a budget based on the priorities that matter to Michigan families."

Under the legislation signed by the governor, state government will continue to operate and meet its contractual obligations.  The legislation signed today will be in place until October 31, 2009 or until the governor signs departmental appropriations bills, whichever comes first.  The governor also was presented with budget bills for community colleges and the departments of Education and Corrections.

With a continuation budget in place, all state government facilities will operate on their regular schedules.  In addition, state employees are expected to report to work at their assigned time on October 1.

Granholm proposed her first spending plan for the 2009-2010 fiscal year last February and outlined a revised spending plan in August that protects the priorities of Michigan citizens.

While the governor has supported over $1 billion in painful spending cuts to balance the budget, she has rejected Senate Republican cuts that eliminate college scholarships for over 50,000 Michigan students, slash funding for local police and fire services, and reduce funding critical to bringing new jobs to the state.