Eleventh Hour In Lansing

Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granhom informed Michigan's state employees that they will be laid off effective 12:01 AM Thursday morning unless the Michigan State Senate can pass a spending bill in the next few hours.

Because the Michigan Legislature has failed as of 2 p.m. today to meet its constitutional responsibility to enact a balanced budget for the fiscal year that begins October 1, 2009, that notice remains in effect. You are temporarily laid off effective 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2009, until a spending plan is in place or you are otherwise notified.

A bill authorizing the continued expenditure of state funds has been approved by both the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan Senate but has not been given immediate effect by the Senate. If and when the Senate gives immediate effect to this continuation budget and the bill is signed into law by the governor, the Executive Office will notify news organizations and post a notice on www.michigan.gov. You are directed to monitor those reports for updated information, because in the event of action by the Michigan Senate or other action to authorize expenditures for Fiscal Year 2010, you will be expected to report to work for the balance of your shift or for your next scheduled shift as appropriate.

Jenny's playing hardball, kids. No budget tonight, the state with the worst unemployment rate in the country effectively shuts down in roughly three hours, laying off thousands more workers until further notice.

Pray tell how many more states will face a situation like this over the next 12 months? I'm thinking a lot more than you believe. Not exactly fair for Granholm to hold state workers hostage like this, but then again, the state Senate has to send her a bill to sign first.

[UPDATE 12:35 AM] Looks like no deal as of yet. I'll check back in the morning.