Sen. Kahn calls for responsible leadership
Friday, September 21, 2007
LANSING - State Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw, issued the following statement Friday regarding budget negotiations in Lansing:
"At this critical juncture, just days from the October 1st budget deadline, Michigan is at high risk of a government shutdown. Sensing this, the Senate passed a continuation budget so the state can keep the most essential services up and running. I am disappointed with my colleagues in the House for not acting to prevent a government shutdown. Surely they do not want convicted felons released or our schools closed. They know that it is no longer possible for a budget agreement to be reached without passing a continuation budget. Basic services like these and many others need protection and the House must act and the governor must sign such legislation.
"The importance of this situation cannot be overstated. At a time when Michigan leads the nation in unemployment, with 28,000 more jobs lost in August alone, it is both irresponsible and absolutely the wrong time to increase the size of government. Public employees cannot receive taxpayer funded raises and expanded health care coverage, when so many Saginaw and Gratiot County residents are struggling to pay rent and buy food. Until sensible reforms like eliminating lifetime welfare are enacted, I will not support a revenue increase that further burdens our people.
"This is more than just a government budget. This is about people's lives and the future of Michigan. We must make fundamental changes to better Michigan and give our children a chance to never face this situation again. And though the problems we face today may not go away in days or weeks, certainly they will go away if we work together. Together we can turn Michigan around, and it starts by passing a continuation budget."
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