LANSING – Setting the stage for a more restrained 2009-10 budget, the Senate began passing appropriations bills on Thursday that reflected a tougher line on overall budget cuts, with Republicans aiming to slice 15 percent from the recommendations of Governor Jennifer Granholm.

But efforts to pass a budget for the State Police stalled, though a Senate sponsor said a way had been found to stop the layoffs in the current fiscal year planned for more than 100 troopers.

Efforts by Democrats to restore funding for such programs as inspections for migrant housing, veteran service organizations and public transportation failed as majority Republicans said the funding for those programs was simply unavailable.

The chamber acted Thursday afternoon some hours after Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) said his caucus would vote for budget cuts exceeding $1.2 billion.

Bishop told reporters it was critical for the state “to right-size” itself during a time of budgetary crisis.

But, during one effort to win support for an amendment that failed (to restore some funding to the state’s bus subsidy program), Sen. Deborah Cherry (D-Burton) said: “I know you think you have to meet targets that you’ve set, but those are still in negotiations with the House and the administration. So it’s time to show what the real priorities of the state are.

Repeatedly, Democrats argued that the cuts sought in the budgets would hurt the services and programs needed by lower income residents. Amendments were sought to restore funding to the state’s surplus food program, inspections of housing for migrant workers, Amtrak service, bus and vanpooling services.

In each case the amendments failed, with Republican members praising each program but saying that the state had to be more careful with the taxpayer’s money.

Speaking specifically of the agriculture budget, Sen. Gerald VanWoerkom (R-Norton Shores) said the cuts enacted in the budget were pretty painful, but he hoped at some point other funding could be found to restore some of the programs.

And Senate Appropriations chair Sen. Ron Jelinek (R-Three Oaks) said in response to a Detroit News editorial that he was glad lawmakers did not wilt in the face of the cuts and he urged them to continue to stay strong in terms of cutting the budget.

“We have no choice but to make those tough cuts. We don’t have the resources to continue some of them,” he said.

The agriculture budget (SB 237 ) probably had the hardest overall cuts of the budgets approved. Passed on a 28-5 vote, the budget totals $86.4 million, down more than $18.4 million from the current year’s appropriation. The general fund total of $30.6 million is nearly 10 percent less than the governor’s proposal.

Sen. Cameron Brown (R-Fawn River Twp.) said the budget focused on food safety, animal health and core programs.

One big change in the budget is a cut of $800,000 to the Office of Racing Commissioner. Brown said the state could save money by moving the office into the department directly instead of having it operate as a separate agency.

But Democrats criticized cuts in the budget to the state’s surplus food program, which distributes extra produce to needy families, at a time when the state’s economy is reeling, and to funds used to inspect migrant worker housing.

The judiciary budget (SB 249 ), approved 25-10, took an unusual route toward passage. It was first moved back to general orders where an amendment adopted on Wednesday to allow local governments to hold open some judicial vacancies for two years was removed.

After being approved 24 hours earlier, Sen. Michael Switalski (D-Roseville) questioned what could have changed for the Senate to now reject it.

“What has happened to all my fiscally conservative friends?” he said.

For one thing, said Senate Majority Floor Leader Alan Cropsey (R-DeWitt), “I read the amendment.” As structured, the amendment was unconstitutional because it amended laws be reference and interfered with the separation of powers.

In addition, Macomb County, which has two judgeships that could be affected, is one of the most overworked judicial systems in the state and removing two judges could emasculate the system, Cropsey said.

The budget totals $258.5 million, about $500,000 less than the current year. Of that $154 million is in general funds, about $4.5 million less than Granholm’s recommendation.

Action on the military affairs budget (SB 250 ), passed 20-15, was some of the toughest because of an effort to restore the funding levels to veteran service organizations. Sen. Valde Garcia (R-Howell) said the new budget will help maximize services to veterans that now are often duplicated by the different groups.

The budget totals $148.8 million, nearly $50.2 million less than the current year. Much of that difference though is through a $38.4 million cut in capital outlay projects that have been completed.

The general fund portion is $39 million, a $400,000 cut under Granholm’s proposal.

The transportation budget (SB 254 ), passed 24-12, totals $3.24 billion. None of that money is in general funds, and the budget overall is $23.5 million below Granholm’s proposal.

But the budget drew controversy because it transferred $23.5 million to the general fund. Of that $11.5 million would come from the comprehensive transportation fund that would include cuts of $4.3 million in bus operating funds, $2 million in the Amtrak subsidy and $3 million in the bus capital fund.

Democrats argued those cuts would hurt individuals who rely on the buses to get to work or older people who rely on the buses simply to get around town.

The budget also requires the state to complete a study on the proposed Detroit River International Crossing by next March.

This story was provided by Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on Gongwer.Com

a>>