Sen. Cassis demands that the
Speaker of the House allow a
vote on continuation budget

9/25/07

LANSING - Last week, the state Senate passed a continuation budget to prevent a state government shutdown. Today, Sen. Nancy Cassis, R-Novi, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, offered the following statement on inaction by the state House and the governor:

"The House's continuing failure to act the past several weeks is unfortunate and troubling. Senate Republicans continue to work toward a budget solution and preventing a government shutdown."

"The Senate has sent a continuation budget to the House, and the leadership there has chosen not to act on it, apparently preferring a government shutdown to forging a solution. Today I demand on behalf of the residents of Michigan's 15th Senate District that Speaker Dillon allow a vote on this continuation budget immediately and that the governor sign it when it reaches her desk."

"By allowing a shutdown, Speaker Dillon and the governor, who represent 2/3 of state government, would rather delay payments to the schools in mid-October than pass a continuation budget. In addition, it would seem that they would prefer to default on bonds that would undermine the state credit rating for years to come and tarnish Michigan's reputation as the Great Lakes State."

"Allowing a shutdown would constitute dereliction of constitutional duty and violate the oath of office. Passing the continuation budget is the responsible action to take to avoid the shutdown of state government and local services to our communities. Less rhetoric and more action to complete the budget must go hand-in-hand with continuing to pay our bills."