It's not secret that the state's budget situation is bleak.  Actually I think the word "bleak" may be an understatement. Let me consult my thesaurus -- hopeless, unpromising, gloomy -- well, you get the picture.  As an eternal optimist, I'm looking for the brightside of this desolate (thank you, thesaurus) situation.  This year's budget provides us with an opportunity to really get some substantive reforms accomplished. A little over a week ago at Region 3 in Spring Lake, Rep. Dean indicated that he was supportive of reforming PA 312.  On Friday at Region 4 in St. John's, Sen. Cropsey and Rep. Opsommer were excellent in the legislative panel. They both underscored that we have a unique opportunity here where everything is on the table. We're looking at $1.3+ billion for the current year and at least that for FY 2010. Talk to your legislators and remind them that our local units of government are hurting. Property values are going down. What can they do to help? Give communities the opportunity to control their own costs by reforming PA 312 and the Urban Cooperation Act. Allow the opportunity to publish public notices online and save a significant amount of money there. Let's change this forlorn situation around and take advantage of this unique chance.
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