Will Michigan have its first government shutdown since 2009?

Capitol building in Lansing, Michigan. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)

Morning Musings 🤔

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There's something special about the last weeks of summer in Michigan. It almost feels like we're cheating the system. It always feels like Labor Day is the start of fall, but then we're reminded that most of September is technically still summer. And yet -- every year, we're pleasantly surprised.

Maybe it's human nature to forget these things, you know, to keep things interesting. Anyway, happy fall, everyone!

Last year, I started wondering how unpredictable our weather is, compared to the rest of the country. As it turns out, the "wait five minutes" saying isn't exactly accurate. 

Overall, the data found that most of Michigan, while less predictable than a sizable amount of the country, is more predictable than several states - with one small exception. Read more about that here, if you're interested.

- Ken

Morning Dive 🏊

We're about a week away from a partial government shutdown in Michigan. It seems like just yesterday Republicans and Democrats were high-fiving at Mackinac Island, celebrating a bipartisan bill on auto insurance. Now, things aren't as friendly, as both sides work to pass a budget before the end of the month.

Here's what you should know:

  • There's an Oct. 1 deadline to pass a budget. If no budget is passed, there will be a partial state government shutdown. It would be the first since 2009 (it only lasted a few hours).
  • Both the Republican-led Legislature and Gov. Whitmer must agree on the budget.
  • While Gov. Whitmer's unveiled her plan to "fix the damn roads" with an increase on the gas tax, both sides have agreed to the idea of passing a budget without a major roads plan -- for now.

Now, that doesn't mean it won't have ANY roads related items. It'll likely have some sort of one-time payment for roads funding, but it won't be the comprehensive package the governor has been seeking.

On Friday, the Legislature passed a new budget for public schools, which ends up being about a 3 percent increase in per-pupil funding, substantially lower than what Gov. Whitmer proposed. She is likely to sign the bill, though, so schools are funded.

What would the shutdown mean for you?

About 30,000, or 62%, of state workers would be temporarily laid off. The rest would be deemed as essential to protecting the health and safety of residents and continue working. They include prison guards, state troopers, child protective services caseworkers and others.

  • State parks could be one of the first effects the public would notice -- they would begin closing.
  • Secretary of State branch offices could also close as soon as Oct. 1.
  • Michigan's 48,000 state government workers have been notified of potential temporary layoffs in case the next budget is not enacted before Oct. 1.
  • Schools are typically funded in advance, so there won't be any day-to-day issue with your kids and their teachers, unless a shutdown lasts for a very long time.

There would be more major impact on government services if the shutdown were to continue, but at this point, it seems unlikely. We'll keep you posted on the latest developments as we get closer to the dreaded deadline.

Housekeeping 🧹

Hey, if you like this newsletter, let us know. We'd love your feedback. We also offer several other newsletters that probably cater to at least one of your interests -- unless you're only interested in frogs. We don't have one for frogs. Sorry.

- Ken Haddad (Have something to say or a topic you'd like us to cover? Contact me: Email | Twitter)

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About the Author:

Ken Haddad has proudly been with WDIV/ClickOnDetroit since 2013. He also authors the Morning Report Newsletter and various other newsletters, and helps lead the WDIV Insider team. He's a big sports fan and is constantly sipping Lions Kool-Aid.