Michigan Heading Toward Budget Shut Down?

Two-thirds of the state's more than 53,000 workers were told Friday not to report to work on Monday as negotiations continued over a budget plan that could avoid a partial government shutdown.

"Due to an unanticipated loss of funding as a result of the state's current budget crisis, I am notifying you that you are being placed on a temporary layoff" beginning at 12:01 a.m. Monday, employees were told in a message e-mailed from department directors, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.

"Do not report to work beginning on Monday, October 1, 2007, unless otherwise notified."

The messages went to about 35,000 state workers. The remainder will remain on the job, according to Liz Boyd, Gov. Jennifer Granholm's spokeswoman. About 12,000 of those are prison employees.

"We will have limited state police," Boyd added.

The message to workers added that negotiations continued on a deal that would avoid a government shutdown Monday and told employees that "if and when an agreement is reached, you will be expected to report at your next scheduled shift."

Members of the Granholm administration met with both House Democrats and Republicans on Friday afternoon, raising optimism that a deal lawmakers could vote on was close that would fill a $1.75 billion shortfall in the fiscal year that starts Monday.

House members were told that no budget deal votes were likely until at least 5 p.m. Legislative leaders and the Granholm administration were tight-lipped about possible progress, but talks were continuing.

"I know these have been trying and uncertain times for you and all of us who serve the public in state government," the message from the department heads added. "It is my hope that this uncertainty will come to a quick resolution with state lawmakers joining with the governor in a resolution of the state's budget crisis."

The fight over what the budget deal should look like took to the airwaves Friday afternoon, as the Michigan Republican Party began running a 60-second radio ad saying the party doesn't agree with raising taxes and urging the governor to sign a budget extension.

The Michigan Democratic Party, meanwhile, put an ad on its Web site blaming the Republican Senate majority leader, Mike Bishop, if government shuts down.