Shutting Down Government

Interesting column written by Tim Skubic in Dome Magazine that says that there is a strong possibility that the legislative leaders might not get the FY 10 budget resolved by the beginning of the fiscal year--October 1, 2009 and thereby shutting down state government.

Skubic believes that the Speaker would allow this to happen to get the Governor to agree to his controversial legislation that reforms and merges all state health plans. The theory goes that after government shuts down on October 1st he goes to Granholm and offers to get her the votes in the House for the budget resolution IF she agrees to his reform plan (she is opposed now). State employee and K-12 school employee unions are fighting his plan very, very strongly but Granholm may have no choice but to go against the unions in order to get her budget completed.

Skubic believes that then Senate Majority Leader Bishop goes to the Governor and uses the same strategy to get her to agree to his tax reform plans.

Interesting theory--especially since Speaker Dillon is running for Governor in 2010 and Majority Leader Bishop is running for Attorney General in 2010.

Not sure how fighting with the unions helps Dillion get a victory in the 2010 August primary. Winning a Democratic primary election without union money and votes is very, very difficult. However, the government shutdown strategy might work for Bishop in a Republican primary.

Skubic might be on to something. Hmmmmmmm.