$300 million in spending reductions

Federally provided "economic stimulus" money presumably is intended to fund needed projects that state budgets otherwise could not support.  That is the only way it will create jobs and spur economic activity.  It should not be used to fund state budget shortfalls and support ongoing state government programs and operations.

If the $1 billion in state operations to be covered by stimulus funds really is/are needed, then an increase in tax revenues is in order.  Otherwise, those operations should be trimmed back to reduce the cost of operating state government.  

The "new health bill" under discussion in Washington will include massive funding for Medicaid from the states' budgets. Are there any state legislators paying attention?

I would like to comment on the state's plan for state employees to retire early. I work at 36th District Court and no employee here has 30years of state employment due to the fact that the court was seperated from the state during court reorganing, but we still have a state penison, we would like to see in the early retirement bill age and years of service equal 80, is a must for 36th District Court employees to retire. Please, Please consider this

Well SPENDING 'CUTS" are blowing in the wind...

2009 Comprehensive Annual Finacial report..

Fy 2004-$ 39,923,663,500 DEcreased by   $ 247 Million

Fy 2005 $ 40,904,128,000 INCREASDED BY  $ 677 MILLION

FY 2006 $ 42,385,938,000 INCREASED by   $ 1,079 BILLION

FY 2007 $ 43,578,704,400 Increased  By $ 402, MILLION

FY 2008 $ 44,633,407,900 Increased by   $ 108 MILLION

www.sunshinereview.org

NOT AUDIT LOTTRY FUND, Michigan STAE Housing , Admistrated Fund, Attorney Discipline System Michigan Education Savings fudn, STATE Bar of Michgan,  10  University schools..Michigan Unemployment etc..The tabaco FUND? The childenforcement Money form the O`bama Adinistration $ 1 BILLION . recory act money for the edely to remodel there Units of housing??//transportaion Funds/BEFORE ENGLER

1990 STATEBUDGET  $ 19,6 BILLION

2001 STATEBUDGET   $ 36,5 Billion 60.7% increase IT IS BLOWING IN THW WIND.TURN THE WINDAROUND.WE need a Hurricane Now.

Given the recent audit that showed that $3.3 BILLION of Department of Community Health money has gone MISSING, it would seem the request for a tax increase is A REALLY STUPID IDEA!

Find the $3.3 BILLION.  Plug the other (numerous) leaks in the state finances.  If the politicians in Lansing would do THAT, we'd have a budget SURPLUS.  

No tax increase is required!