PREPARATION FOR SHUTDOWN OF STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
WHEREAS, under Section 1 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, the executive power of the State of Michigan is vested in the Governor;
WHEREAS, under Section 8 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, the Governor is responsible for taking care that the laws of this state be faithfully executed;
WHEREAS, under Section 8 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, each principal department of state government is under the supervision of the Governor unless otherwise provided by the Constitution, and the Governor is required to transact all necessary business with state departments;
WHEREAS, on February 8, 2007, I submitted to the Michigan Legislature a balanced budget for the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2007, as required by Section 18 of Article V of the Michigan Constitution of 1963;
WHEREAS, the Michigan Legislature has failed to pass a balanced budget for the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2007, as required by Section 31 of Article IV of the Michigan Constitution of 1963;
WHEREAS, under Section 1 of Article IX of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, the Michigan Legislature has a duty to impose taxes sufficient with other revenue to pay the expenses of state government;
WHEREAS, the Michigan Legislature has failed to assure sufficient revenue to pay the expenses of state government for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2007;
WHEREAS, under Section 17 of Article IX of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, no money may be paid out of the state treasury except in pursuance of appropriations made by law, and no appropriations for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2007 have been passed by the Michigan Legislature;
WHEREAS, under Section 1 of Article I of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, state government is instituted for the equal benefit, security, and protection of the People of the State of Michigan;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, by virtue of the power and authority vested in me by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and Michigan law, direct:
1. State departments and agencies shall immediately begin preparations to cease non-critical state government operations if a balanced budget making appropriations for the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2007 is not enacted into law by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September 30, 2007.
2. Department directors and autonomous agency heads shall immediately begin implementing their plans to maintain critical government operations intended to protect the health and safety of the People of the State of Michigan if a balanced budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year is not enacted into law by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September 30, 2007.
3. On Friday, September 28, 2007, department directors and autonomous agency heads shall implement their comprehensive notification plans to inform state employees within their department or agency of the effects on departmental or agency operations should a balanced budget for the 2007-2008 fiscal year not be enacted into law by 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, September 30, 2007.
It is my intent that the State of Michigan will continue to provide those services that are critical to the People of the State of Michigan until a budget resolution is reached.
This Directive is effective immediately.
Given under my hand at 4:00 p.m. on this 27th day of September, in the year of our Lord, two thousand and seven.
______________________________
JENNIFER M. GRANHOLM
GOVERNOR
