It was reported early on the morning of April 30th, that Governor Granholm's administration and budget negotiators are considering a significant layoff of Michigan State Police Troopers to address a projected $1.3 billion state budget deficit. To begin with, there are 81 troopers who just graduated from their academy. The plan is to eliminate most of them. The administration is also looking at senior officers who are eligible for early retirement under the state's DROP plan by reducing the number of years it takes to be eligible for early retirement. That would help; eliminate a few layoffs.

I was in Lansing yesterday. While legislators are happy that General Motors. and Chrysler may not now go bankrupt and/or out of business, they know the loss of jobs through restructuring , plant closings, elimination of product line and dealerships, and a lower wage scale, will have an extremely negative impact on our state, not to mention the "domino effect" throughout the state.

At risk of being taken by the legislature to help address the state budget deficit are the Public Act 302 Training Monies and Public Act 416, Secondary Road Patrol Monies. DSAM and our lobby firm are currently meeting with key legislators to address and educate them on how important these two funds are to Michigan Sheriff Department employees.

by Larry Orlowski
DSAM Executive Director

Click the "Read More" link for more budget information from your DSAM lobbying agency GCSI

From GCSI:

While the next Revenue Estimating Conference is not scheduled to take place until May 15, recent estimates being presented to the Governor and Legislative Leadership have the current fiscal year deficit at $1.32 billion.

In addition to the latest number (which is significantly greater than the $785 million reported just last week), estimates include another $800 million shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year.  

An Executive Order is scheduled to be issued by the Governor on Tuesday of next week to partially address the current fiscal year shortfall.  We will continue to inform you of the situation as more information becomes available in the upcoming days and weeks.