Sen. Richardville: Substantial progress made with state's fiscal year 2007 budget deficit
LANSING - Sen. Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, issued the following statement in response to the Senate's bipartisan efforts to close the fiscal year 2007 budget deficit:
"I appreciate the efforts of the Senate and House to participate in intense negotiations to fill the 2007 budget hole. The Senate has maintained its commitment to developing a solution through reforms and budget cuts.
"Under the proposed solution, we focused on keeping education a top priority by protecting the per-pupil funding allowance. We also helped protect some of the state's most vulnerable citizens by rejecting proposed cuts to Medicaid providers.
"The Senate made substantial progress this evening to work with the House and administration to resolve the deficit. Solving the 2007 budget will allow us to move forward and address the budget challenges for the upcoming year."
The Senate Republican plan approved on Friday includes the following:
Reducing State Legislature's Budget - In an effort to reduce the size of government, Senate Republicans enacted a 4-percent cut to the Michigan Legislature's budget. This is a $4.5 million reduction.
Keeping Revenue Sharing Intact - Senate Republicans stopped a reduction in revenue sharing funds to local governments, keeping essential services to residents intact.
Protecting State's Most Vulnerable Citizens- Senate Republicans did not include the governor's proposed 6-percent cut to Medicaid providers, thereby, protecting Michigan's low-income children, families and seniors.
Preventing Layoffs for State Troopers -Senate Republicans restored $1.2 million in funds to prevent state police trooper layoffs.
Preserving School Aid Fund - Senate Republicans will keep education a top priority and continue to protect the per pupil foundation allowance - and work to prevent the governor's estimated $122 per student reduction to the '07 School Aid Fund.
Posted: Friday, May 25, 2007
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