Senate Democrats Fight to Protect Public Safety, Create Much-Needed Jobs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 16, 2009
CONTACT: Alex Rossman, 517-373-6091

Senate Democrats fight to protect public safety, create much-needed jobs; drastic Republican budget proposals slash local revenue sharing, 21st Century Jobs Fund

LANSING—Senate Democrats voted in opposition today to the Senate Republicans’ proposal to cut $20.55 million from the 21st Century Jobs Fund and 12% from local revenue sharing as part of the General Government budget. The 21st Century Jobs Fund helps entrepreneurs start small businesses, fund scientific research, support alternative energy development, and promote collaborative partnerships among growing industries. Our cities, townships and counties rely heavily on local revenue sharing funding for public safety and infrastructure improvements.

“We need to do everything we can to diversify our economy, and this need is even more pressing as we are faced with auto dealership, supplier and manufacturing plant closures,” said Senator Glenn S. Anderson, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “The 21st Century Jobs Fund helps create jobs in fields that will help our state thrive and become a leader in the economy of tomorrow, and there couldn’t be a worse time to cut this program more than $20 million.”

Senate Democrats fought against the severe cuts in the General Government budget unveiled by Senate Republicans today. Senate Republicans slashed funding to the 21st Century Jobs Fund by $20.55 million, and Senator Glenn S. Anderson introduced an amendment to restore that funding to $52.95 million, which is the amount of funding allotted after the Governor’s Executive Order cuts. This funding is essential to diversifying Michigan’s economy and creating thousands of new jobs in Michigan, but the amendment was voted down on a party line vote.

Senate Democrats also opposed the Republican-led 12% cut to local revenue sharing. This is revenue distributed to local communities for local police, firefighters, water systems, road maintenance and other vital services. The Legislature has already cut billions in local revenue sharing over the past few years, and many of these communities are already feeling the effects of this difficult economy through job losses and foreclosed homes. Senator Gilda Z. Jacobs and her Democratic colleagues sought to amend the General Government budget to secure vital funding for local communities, but that effort also failed at the hands of the Senate Republican Majority.

“The safety and well-being of Michigan citizens should be our number one priority and while cuts are unavoidable, we can’t fix the budget deficit by endangering the public,” said Senator Gilda Z. Jacobs. “Our communities rely on this money to keep police officers patrolling our streets and fire fighters answering our call. Cutting these funds is irresponsible and detrimental to our state and its citizens.”

Alex Rossman,
Deputy Communications Director
Michigan Senate Democratic Caucus
W: 517-373-6091
C: 517-775-9053
arossman@senate.michigan.gov
http://www.senate.mi.gov/demcaucus