Posted on 04/06/2007 4:57:00 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Twenty-nine Michigan State Police troopers scheduled to be laid off this weekend will remain on the job at least until June, thanks to a deal struck Friday.
The Michigan State Police Troopers Association decided to give the state Treasury nearly $400,000, enough money to at least temporarily avoid what have been the first state police layoffs since 1980.
``This is troopers taking care of troopers so that troopers can take care of the people of Michigan,'' union president Mike Moorman said in a statement.
The deal at least delays trooper layoffs at more than 20 posts across the state. Posts in Ypsilanti, Lakeview, Flint and Taylor would have been hardest hit by the cost-saving move, sparked by the state's ongoing government budget problems.
Michigan faces a budget shortfall of more than $600 million for the fiscal year that began in October. A sluggish economy and tax cuts have combined to limit the money available to the state.
State Police Director Col. Peter Munoz said he remains optimistic that a long-term solution can be found to keep the troopers on duty past June.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm credited the troopers' union for stepping up during tough budget times.
``I am proud of the selflessness of the state troopers for their continued willingness to make sacrifices during times of fiscal uncertainty,'' Granholm said in a statement.
But Granholm cautioned that the deal provides only a temporary fix.
Budget problems could lead to further state police cutbacks in the future. The Granholm administration has said posts in Calumet and Hart could be closed in October.
Under the deal reached Friday, layoffs temporarily are avoided at several Michigan State Police posts.
Four troopers faced layoffs in Ypsilanti. Three would have been affected at the Lakeview post and two each would have been laid off at the Metro South post in Taylor and at a post in Flint.
Posts in Adrian, Bad Axe, Bridgeport, Brighton, Caro, Coldwater, Hart, Hastings, Holly/Groveland, Ionia, Jonesville, Lapeer, Mount Pleasant, Negaunee, Newaygo, Paw Paw, Richmond and South Haven each would have lost a trooper.
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