Revenue Sharing Cuts Devastating Communities, Threatening Public Safety

Impact of Cuts will be Traced Back to Votes of House, Senate

LANSING, Mich. – More deep cuts to revenue sharing being advanced by the Legislature will threaten police and fire protection across the state, local leaders from across Michigan warned today.

After slashing revenue sharing by about $3 billion in the past eight years, state lawmakers are now considering another $162 million in revenue sharing cuts from the Governor’s recommendation for the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 state budget. Revenue sharing funds essential local services, including police and fire protection, safe drinking water, sewer systems, road and bridge maintenance, and more.

The cuts of the past eight years have already caused the layoffs of more than 2,400 police officers and 1,800 firefighters across the state. The additional reductions awaiting final legislative approval could double the number of police and fire layoffs, local officials said.

“Cuts of this magnitude directly affect the health, public safety and welfare of every citizen and business in this state,” said MML President and Troy City Councilmember Robin Beltramini.  “This cut is the equivalent of losing more than 2,000 police officers.  If legislators are so concerned about losing 100 state police officers, they should be more concerned about what losing 2,000 local police officers will mean to the state, citizen safety, and jobs!”

Even as the Legislature guts revenue sharing, the state is collecting billions of dollars in emergency “stimulus” funds from the federal government. The funds are being appropriated, in part, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The state is using almost all of the ARRA funds at its discretion to fix its own budget, even though the law specifically states the funds are supposed to relieve fiscal stress in local governments too.

“At the same time the state is cutting revenue sharing, it’s keeping for itself ARRA funds that are supposed to also go to local governments to avoid essential service reductions and local tax increases,” Beltramini said. “It is time for the Legislature and governor to stop making cuts that damage local communities and their ability to create the kinds of safe, vibrant places that attract jobs and employers and keep our college students home.”

Howell Police Chief George Basar, who is also serving as president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, said revenue sharing cuts are threatening public safety across the state.

“Lawmakers continue to say public safety is the priority, yet their actions don’t match their words,” he said. He noted the state has 2,400 fewer police officers now than eight years ago.

Lansing Fire Chief Tom Cochran said, “The cuts-only policies in Michigan must stop if the Legislature is concerned about maintaining safe communities and a high quality of life. Adequate fire and police protection are minimum standards for individuals locating in a community. We must be able to provide these to move toward a more prosperous state.”

Summer Minnick, Director of State Affairs for MML, discusses revenue sharing cuts with Walt Sorg on WILS AM-Lansing

Grand Rapids Interim City Manager Eric DeLong said endless budget cuts are reactionary and dangerous and do nothing to solve Michigan’s long term problems.

“Revenue sharing cuts combined with a decline in property values and local income taxes is killing the ability of local governments to provide basic services,” he said. “It is time to actually solve the problem by taking a look at our entire tax system.”

He also noted property values are hinged on the quality of life and level of service provided in a community.  “At a time when we are looking to the state to help resolve the issues hurting our communities, they are making decisions that exacerbate our existing problems,” he said.

The Michigan Municipal League advocates on behalf of its member communities in Lansing, Washington D.C., and the courts; provides educational opportunities for elected and appointed municipal officials; and assists municipal leaders in administering services to their communities through League programs and services. For more information, visit www.mml.org.

LANSING, Mich. – More deep cuts to revenue sharing being advanced by the Legislature will threaten police and fire protection across the state, local leaders from across Michigan warned today.

After slashing revenue sharing by about $3 billion in the past eight years, state lawmakers are now considering another $162 million in revenue sharing cuts from the Governor’s recommendation for the Fiscal Year 2009-2010 state budget. Revenue sharing funds essential local services, including police and fire protection, safe drinking water, sewer systems, road and bridge maintenance, and more.

The cuts of the past eight years have already caused the layoffs of more than 2,400 police officers and 1,800 firefighters across the state. The additional reductions awaiting final legislative approval could double the number of police and fire layoffs, local officials said.

“Cuts of this magnitude directly affect the health, public safety and welfare of every citizen and business in this state,” said MML President and Troy City Councilmember Robin Beltramini.  “This cut is the equivalent of losing more than 2,000 police officers.  If legislators are so concerned about losing 100 state police officers, they should be more concerned about what losing 2,000 local police officers will mean to the state, citizen safety, and jobs!”

Even as the Legislature guts revenue sharing, the state is collecting billions of dollars in emergency “stimulus” funds from the federal government. The funds are being appropriated, in part, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The state is using almost all of the ARRA funds at its discretion to fix its own budget, even though the law specifically states the funds are supposed to relieve fiscal stress in local governments too.

“At the same time the state is cutting revenue sharing, it’s keeping for itself ARRA funds that are supposed to also go to local governments to avoid essential service reductions and local tax increases,” Beltramini said. “It is time for the Legislature and governor to stop making cuts that damage local communities and their ability to create the kinds of safe, vibrant places that attract jobs and employers and keep our college students home.”

:  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :  :