State offices to close Friday, August 21

LANSING, August 7, 2009: The Department of Management and Budget announced that most Michigan state government offices were closed on Friday, August 7, as part of a program that will ultimately reduce state spending in the current fiscal year by almost $22 million. 

State government operations will be similar to those observed on public holidays when general offices and services in state government are closed but some services, including those vital to public health and safety, are maintained. 

Among those services that will be maintained without interruption are Michigan State Police road patrols, correctional facilities, state psychiatric hospitals, veterans’ homes and youth facilities, and emergency human services programs.

The Unemployment Insurance Agency’s call centers and problem resolution offices (PRO) were open.  The PROs assist citizens who are experiencing problems with their unemployment claims and provide on-site computers for citizens to use to apply for unemployment benefits.  Those offices are located in Detroit, Gaylord, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Livonia, Marquette, Pontiac, and Saginaw.  

Executive Order 2009-22, issued by the governor and approved by the House and Senate appropriations committees in May, mandates the unpaid furlough days to help balance the state’s budget. 

The unpaid furlough days will save the state $21.7 million before September 30, 2009, the end of the state’s fiscal year. Approximately 37,400 state employees will be furloughed for the six days while another 15,500 are exempt to maintain public health and safety services.

Additional upcoming unpaid furlough days are: August 21 and September 4, 2009.