LANSING – Lawmakers need to initiate real reform, not just lean on federal stimulus to avoid difficult decisions State Representative Dudley Spade (D-Tipton) said today. Speaking after Governor Granholm's annual State of the State address, the Lenawee lawmaker called for system wide reform and, citing his work on the Department of Human Services Budget over the last two years, said that he believes there is room to find real efficiency in state government and close budget holes without relying on one time dollars.
"There are too many sacred cows in state government," Rep. Spade said. "Reform must be our watchword and efficiency our motto. Over the past two years while I have been the House subcommittee chair, we have managed to reduce the Department of Human Services budget by over $100 million without reducing or eliminating a single service. At the same time, we have added new staff in critical, high demand areas like front line casework and adoption services. True reform is never easy and I will not pretend that we did not ruffle some feathers in the process, but there are difficult decisions to be made and everything has to be on the table."
Spade went on to comment on the Governor's plan to reduce the number of state departments and give Michigan workers priority in hiring.
"Combining departments could translate into greater efficiency for the state and real savings for Michigan's taxpayers as long as it is combined with reform and restructuring. The key is rooting out inefficiency, wherever we find it, no matter whose pet program it is," Spade continued. "As to a hiring preference for Michigan workers, we simply need to get it done. We were able to pass a bill last term to allow schools to give a contracting preference to Michigan-based businesses and this proposal is in the same vain. We simply must do anything and everything we can to create and retain jobs for Michigan workers."
Spade went on to caution lawmakers about the danger of using one-time dollars to close budget shortfalls.
"The real test comes next week when the various state departments release their annual budget recommendations and the legislature begins working on the FY 2009-2010 budget," Spade said. "Even though it would be tempting to use federal stimulus money to make up budget deficits and avoid tough cuts, we cannot afford to use one-time dollars to fund permanent programs. Our budget problems are structural and we need to change the way we are doing business. We have to cut our expenses to match our income or next year we will be right back where we started."