Local officials await Engler?s Executive Order
Rogers City Council members received copies of a faxed alert from the Michigan Municipal League (MML) at their meeting at city hall Monday, as all signs point to a cut in revenue sharing by Gov. John Engler.
Most recent reports show that when Engler issues an Executive Order, which is expected today, it will most likely include a one percent cut in higher education, a two to three percent cut to all state agencies and a cut of up to five percent to the entire revenue sharing figure, meaning an eight to 10 percent cut to statutory revenue sharing.
?Eight to 10 percent is quite a chunk of our budget from general fund,? said councilman Jim Sinclair.
?I think our legislators are well aware of our concerns,? said mayor Beach Hall.
?I know Sen. (Walt) North was in town last week. He indicated he did not need a letter from us, he knew our position,? said Hall.
Sinclair still wanted people to contact members of the legislature about the cuts.
MML stated the units that were receiving minimal cuts had advocates in the legislature and were pushing hard. MML was hoping municipalities would push back.
Funding reductions could mean cuts in core government services, according to the MML.
MML also believe the cuts could result in millage elections and tax hikes, in some cases.
The cuts will occur in the middle of the budget year for Rogers City.
The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners is waiting to see how deep Engler?s cuts will be before moving forward with the 2003 budget. It must be approved before year?s end.
by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor
