Michigan legislators are racing to prevent a government shutdown that could halt essential services and close state parks across the state if a budget agreement isn’t reached by Oct. 1.
“The question is, does a shutdown if 12:01 a.m., Oct. 1, hits without a budget in place, does that immediately bring all the parties together to get something done, or does this turn into something we’ve never seen in modern Michigan history, which is a protracted, days-long shutdown.”
Zach Gorchow, president of Gongwer Michigan
The looming shutdown threatens to disrupt state operations, from park closures to other services, potentially affecting thousands of state employees and residents.
“I think the immediate effects that people will see, you know, for a state-level shutdown, our state park system probably comes to a halt, and parks get shuttered,” said Bob Schneider, research associate at the Citizens Research Council of Michigan.
The Michigan State Employees Association warns that a shutdown would leave various public servants without pay and benefits, including State Police Motor Carrier Officers, Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officers, mechanics, and laborers.
MSEA Executive Director Erik Bailey highlighted concerns about public safety.
“For example, our MDOT Traffic Signal Electricians would be unable to assist in rectifying flows of traffic, our Conservation Officers would be unable to respond for calls of service in rural areas which they rely on them, Maintenance Mechanics would be unable to maintain our prisons, and the Motor Carrier Officers would be off the highways and unable to respond to emergencies. Without these dedicated public servants performing their job duties, the citizens of the state of Michigan will be at risk.”
MSEA Executive Director Erik Bailey said in a statement
Michigan has faced similar situations before, with two previous shutdowns in 2007 and 2009, although both were brief, lasting only a few hours.
“We saw in 2007, when there was a brief partial government shutdown, the DNR went into the state campgrounds and kicked the campers out. The Michigan Department of Transportation, MDOT, in 2007 pulled up state-owned drawbridges,” Gorchow said.
“There are dozens and dozens and dozens of inspections the state performs, whether that’s gas pumps, food safety, and on and on and on, those workers could be laid off and unable to do that,” Gorchow added.
This is unfolding as federal lawmakers work to avoid a government shutdown in Washington, D.C., which would also impact Michigan residents and workers.
“Perhaps this will get resolved before Oct. 1, and we will have budgets in place. But that’s not certainty,” Schneider said.
Some school districts have alerted parents and students that they won’t be able to provide free lunches after Sept. 30.,