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Michigan Has Shut Down
For real.... Like everything in the state. Check it out:
after granholm's speech, this bulletin details what exactly will cease and reduce if a shutdown happens.
Legislative Inaction Forces State Government Shutdown
Contact: Liz Boyd 517-335-6397
September 28, 2007
Granholm details impact to citizens, reiterates call for comprehensive solution
LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said that while she remains committed to protecting the health and safety of Michigan residents during a government shutdown, citizens will be impacted if legislators fail to act before Monday. Granholm made the announcement as she continues to negotiate with state lawmakers who have yet to approve a comprehensive solution to the state's budget crisis.
"Seven months ago, I proposed a comprehensive solution that would have resolved the state's budget crisis through a combination of budget cuts, government reforms, and new revenue," Granholm said. "Since then, the Legislature has failed to agree on my solution or any other. Their failure to act has brought us to this day. They need to act with urgency on a balanced budget and send the bills to my desk."
The governor has pledged to work with lawmakers as long as it takes to resolve the budget crisis but said that without an agreement, the state must initiate a government shutdown today, since it is the last business day of the current fiscal year. The new fiscal year begins Monday, October 1.
Government shutdown details include, but are not limited to:
55. Can I buy alcohol?
Liquor sales are regulated by the state and therefore will stop during a government shutdown. Stores will be able to sell the inventory they have on hand, but will be unable to purchase additional inventory.
56. Can I buy cigarettes?
In order to be sold, cigarettes must contain a State of Michigan tobacco tax stamp. Stores will be able to sell the inventory they have on hand. However, if a wholesaler does not have sufficient stamps, cigarettes that do not carry a stamp cannot be sold to retailers.
57. Will the casinos be open?
According to state law, the three Detroit casinos cannot offer gaming, but can offer dining and entertainment. During a shutdown, gaming inspectors would not be working, therefore the Detroit casinos could not offer gaming. Gaming on Indian Reservation land, which is governed by federal law and gaming compact, would continue.
61. Will the state-owned lift bridges be open?
Six of the state's 12 lift bridges, in compliance with U.S. Coast Guard regulations, will be locked in the up position, allowing only water traffic to pass. Those bridges that are closed to traffic are located in Manistee (US-31), TWO IN BAY CITY (M-25 and M-13/M-84), St Joseph (M-63), Port Huron (I-94Bl/Military Street), and Detroit (M-85/Fort Street
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AGRICULTURE: All Department of Agriculture activities will stop during a government shutdown, except livestock vehicle inspections at the Mackinac Bridge, which are required to maintain the Upper Peninsula's Tuberculosis-free designation for cattle. During the shutdown, food safety inspections, recall effectiveness checks, gas pump inspections, animal disease monitoring, and migrant labor camp inspections will stop; agriculture export and cattle movement permits will not be issued; and horse racing will shutdown. Exports from Michigan to foreign countries would essentially cease should state government shut down. Commodities affected include dry beans, logs and lumber, nursery stock, grain, fruits, and vegetables.
THE COURTS: The Michigan Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals will continue to operate with a limited staff to handle emergency matters.
CIVIL RIGHTS: All Department of Civil Rights activities will stop during a government shutdown. Residents wishing to file a discrimination complaint will be able to leave a message at 1-800-482-3604 with the details of their complaint. For purposes of meeting the 180-day legal requirement, the message will constitute an official notice of the intention to file a complaint. Residents calling Civil Right's Crisis Response Hotline to report a hate crime or bias incident may also leave a message, although they are encouraged to contact local law enforcement for immediate assistance.
COMMUNITY HEALTH: A number of operations within the Department of Community Health will be maintained to ensure that the health of our citizens is protected. State mental health facilities will remain open with reduced staffing, though voluntary, non-court admissions will be suspended. Critical laboratory services will operate to ensure newborn screenings are completed in a timely manner, and threats of immediate harm can be addressed. Limited Medicaid support will be available to approve emergency medical prior-authorizations and review exception requests for medications and medical procedures. The DCH also will maintain the toll-free number to register nursing home complaints of a serious nature.
CORRECTIONS: Department of Corrections functions will continue as needed to protect the safety of Michigan citizens. The state's prisons, prison camps, and parole/probation monitoring will continue to operate, though at a reduced staffing level. Administrative operations outside of the prisons will shut down.
EDUCATION: All Department of Education operations will shut down, except for the Michigan School for the Deaf. If Department of Education employees have not returned to work by mid-October, the state school aid payment due on October 22 will not be made.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY: The Department of Environmental Quality will maintain only limited staff during the shutdown period to meet U.S. Department of Homeland Security air- monitoring requirements and process critical drinking water samples to address the most immediate public health concerns. All other department functions will shut down. This means no permi
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