Two-thirds of Michigan state employees told not to report to work on Monday
LANSING, Mich. — Two-thirds of the state’s more than 53,000 workers were told today not to report to work on Monday as negotiations continued over a budget plan that could avoid a partial government shutdown.
“Due to an unanticipated loss of funding as a result of the state’s current budget crisis, I am notifying you that you are being placed on a temporary layoff” beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday, employees were told in a message e-mailed from department directors, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.
“Do not report to work beginning on Monday, October 1, 2007, unless otherwise notified.”
The messages went to about 35,000 state workers. The remainder will remain on the job, according to Liz Boyd, Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s spokeswoman. About 12,000 of those are prison employees.
“We will have limited state police,” Boyd added.
The message to workers added that negotiations continued on a deal that would avoid a government shutdown Monday and told employees that “if and when an agreement is reached, you will be expected to report at your next scheduled shift.”
Members of the Granholm administration met with both House Democrats and Republicans this afternoon, raising optimism that a deal lawmakers could vote on was close that would fill a $1.75 billion shortfall in the fiscal year that starts Monday.
House members were told that no budget deal votes were likely until at least 5 p.m.
Legislative leaders and the Granholm administration were tight-lipped about possible progress, but talks were continuing.
“I know these have been trying and uncertain times for you and all of us who serve the public in state government,” the message from the department heads added. “It is my hope that this uncertainty will come to a quick resolution with state lawmakers joining with the governor in a resolution of the state’s budget crisis.”
The fight over what the budget deal should look like took to the airwaves this afternoon, as the Michigan Republican Party began running a 60-second radio ad saying the party doesn’t agree with raising taxes and urging the governor to sign a budget extension.
The Michigan Democratic Party, meanwhile, put an ad on its Web site blaming the Republican Senate majority leader, Mike Bishop, if government shuts down.
Read more in later editions of The Blade and toledoblade.com
Text of message to state workers
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Dear Colleagues:
At 4 p.m. yesterday, Governor Granholm issued an executive directive to me and other members of the Cabinet who manage the departments of state government, instructing us to begin taking the steps necessary to shut down all non-essential state government operations at midnight this Sunday, September 30, when our new fiscal year begins.
The Constitution is clear. Without a balanced budget in place, state government cannot operate. And, while the governor remains hopeful that productive negotiations already underway will head off this government shutdown before Monday, we have no choice but to move forward absent action by the state Legislature on a comprehensive solution.
Due to an unanticipated loss of funding as a result of the state’s current budget crisis, I am notifying you that you are being placed on a temporary layoff consistent with the provisions of your applicable Collective Bargaining Agreement and-or Civil Service Rules, commencing at 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2007. Do not report to work beginning on Monday, October 1, 2007, unless otherwise notified. For additional information go to www.michigan.gov/mdcs.
The term of this temporary layoff may be modified. If so, you will be notified.
While the first steps to a government shutdown are now being taken, the governor continues to work around the clock to reach an agreement on a comprehensive solution that will prevent massive cuts to public safety, health care, and education.
When an agreement is reached, the Executive Office will notify news organizations, post a notice on www.michigan.gov, and update a special hotline for state employees (1-866-520-6424) to keep you updated on the budget crisis. I encourage you to monitor them since if and when an agreement is reached, you will be expected to report at your next scheduled shift.
I know these have been trying and uncertain times for you and all of us who serve the public in state government. It is my hope that this uncertainty will come to a quick resolution with state lawmakers joining with the governor in a resolution of the state’s budget crisis.
SO....anyone else concerned about this? Bring on the martial law. Every man for himself.
But seriously, there is no better time than the present to take up those kickboxing and self defense classes. They could come in handy when we need to step up, take some names, and kick some ass Reno 911 style.
