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By Philip Jeffery, Chief Deputy Director
Michigan Department of Technology,
Management & Budget
Common Sense: Local Govt Funding
This paper is meant to provide Michigan Farm Bureau members with some helpful information about an aspect of our government streamlining initiative that has the potential to effect and challenge many Michigan farmers.
Common Sense: School Funding
This is a quick analysis of Gov. Rick Snyder’s plan for education, and comments from Farm Bureau members who are intimately involved in the educational system.
Common Sense: Michigan’s Real Budget Problem
The vast majority (86%) of Michigan's budget is consumed by corrections, human services and higher education. Less than a tenth of the remaining 14% is committed to resource protection -- DEQ, DNR and MDA.
Common Sense: Taxes
The 2009 budget shortfall of $1.7 billion is just as challenging as the 2007 budget shortfall, when the governor and legislature approved an $800 million tax increase without enacting substantial reform.
Common Sense: Human Services
Every other Michigan tax dollar is spent on human services, meaning the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Department of Community Health (DCH). Combined, programs administered by those two departments make up 37.81% of the total budget for Michigan government, and 53.89% of the general fund/general purpose (GF/GP) budget.
Common Sense: Education
Michigan’s economic future begins with talent. Michigan’s ability to develop talent through our educational system and retain developed talent after graduation will define our economic future. How can Michigan best invest in education? What will Michigan do to develop and retain talent?
Common Sense: Corrections
With a $2 billion budget consuming 21% of the general fund (GF), the Michigan Department of Corrections (DOC) is a “budget buster” Michigan residents can no longer afford in its current form. Unless major structural changes rein in DOC spending, Michigan residents will have no choice but to send more taxes to Lansing.
Common Sense: Keeping MDA
As with most General Fund/General Purpose (GF/GP) programs, the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) has seen dramatic reductions in the last decade. In FY 2000, MDA’s GF/GP budget was $47,029,800, with 653.5 employees. Today, MDA has a GF/GP budget of $30,050,500 with 593.5 employees to do the same amount of work.
