LANSING – State Representative Shanelle Jackson (D-Detroit) today voted against an Executive Order (EO) issued by the Governor that would cut the state budget for the remainder of 2009 by $295 million. Jackson cast her no vote this morning during a meeting of the House Appropriations Committee.
"While I respect the Governor's tough decision in offering this Executive Order, I could not in good conscience approve of such far-reaching cuts," said Jackson, who is serving her second term as a member of the committee. "Detroit's unemployment rate is at an astounding 22 percent – almost three times the national rate. Clearly our families need these services now more than ever. As a lawmaker who came to Lansing to fight for our underserved residents, I simply could not support the plan that was presented to us."
The EO issued by Governor Jennifer M. Granholm was approved today by a joint committee of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees. The EO calls for a reduction in state department budgets across the board, in addition to other line item cuts to specific departments.
Included in the EO was $97.7 million in reductions to the Department of Human Services, $53.1 million in cuts to the Department of Community Health, and $41.4 million in reductions to revenue sharing, which included more than $7 million in funds to the city of Detroit.
"As a State Representative whose primary focus is supporting residents in need, I could not turn my back on my constituents and rationalize voting for these cuts during this economic crisis," Jackson said. "I look forward to working with every leader at every level of government during the budget process to not only fight for the quality services Michigan offers our residents in this time of need, but also to rebuild our economy and move our state forward."