Russ Kidd’s Response
To The Previous Pages

I knew that the Governor had listed the ag. statistical service for a cut  - but didn't realize what the impact was going to be.  For maple producers, it likely means no annual reporting (charting) of the maple syrup crop each spring (that information is usually released about mid-June each year after the season is over and the producer surveys are collected and tabulated).

Not only was this info nice to know for comparative purposes (year to year, state to state), but could be used to help maple producers apply for help (loans or what have you) in years of disastrous, near failure of the maple crop. The government always needs to know what an average or normal crop is to ensure that the disaster is indeed a disaster (production way off of normal).

So that's what you will be giving up directly - in addition to any other ag stats this agency compiles that you may be interested in.

Also, be aware that in her same Executive Order that lists the Ag. Statistical Service for cuts, she again targets MSU Extension.   This time she is asking for a 10% cut in the current fiscal year we're already in (i.e. since Oct 1st) for MSUE and then to apply that same reduced budget  as the baseline for funding for the next fiscal year as well (2007-08). 

That will hurt for a couple of reasons.  First, a cut this late in the fiscal year is almost equal to double the amount (i.e. that 10% will be about 20% of what's left for the year to catch up) if you follow what I'm saying.

Overall, MSUE has reduced its budget nearly 30% (and a lot of positions) over the last few years from what it was early in the Governor's first term.  We don't have any "fat" to skim from our budget any longer.   

Plus, you need to realize that many of the state funds received are matched to programs that are cooperatively funded using federal or private grant dollars, etc.   If this cut sticks, it may well threaten some of those arrangements.  Ever since her first term as governor and the cuts we had to make, we have pursued a lot more private grants to fund programs we do - but most are matched in some way.  No grantor nowadays will fund something 100%.  They always want the grantee (receiver of the grants) to put up some of their own risk ($$$) to keep them honest and committed to the grant.  Which is most sensible if you ask me!!!

That's the position MSUE is in - not much better than the statistical service I'm afraid!

I'm not sure if the Governor really achieved her goal in front of the TV  of convincing people that state gov't is in dire straits.  But the truth is, it's a real mess at the moment with everything going on (SB Tax poised to disappear, need for more revenue, what cuts make sense, etc.)

As always, if you or MMSA care and want to voice your support for MSUE, your help would be appreciated.   The first task would be to have the legislature vote NO on the Executive Order.  If you chose to voice an opinion, contact must be made with your local legislator by no later than Feb 22nd.   If the Exec Order is voted down, then the governor and legislature would have to sit down and negotiate from scratch what set of cuts and/or taxes is acceptable as an alternative to her choices currently listed in the Executive Order.  (Note: with an Exec Order, all the legislature can do is say yes or no to the whole thing; they can't selectively accept/reject individual items within it)

Depending upon your perspective (Rep., Dem. or whatever), maybe this would be a better alternative!   That's what Michigan taxpayers/citizens need to decide and quickly!!!

Thanks,

Russ

Unfortunately, by the time the Newsletter hits the press and then is mailed, it will be too late for us (MMSA members) to respond to our legislators. It is still good to have the information so we can understand, to a degree, what is going on.
–Editor