Get the facts on Michigan’s budget crisis at Town Hall meetings

The Michigan Senate Democrats are holding a series of four Town Hall meetings beginning Tuesday on the state budget crisis.

The first one will be held from 6:30 – 8 p.m. – the times for all four seminars - at the Burnham Brook Center, 200 Michigan Ave. West, in Battle Creek, and the second event will be held at Baker College, 2800 Springport Rd., in Jackson on Wednesday. Next month on March 19, the third town hall meeting will be held in Oakland County at the Southfield Library, and on March 22 the final meeting will be held in Genesee County at a location to be determined later.

Senate Minority Floor Leader Sen. Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek, will lead the first two meetings in his district. Local officials and experts will be on hand to answer questions and provide information about how the crisis is affecting local communities and services.

On hand in Battle Creek will be Cindy Ruble, Superintendent of Lakeview Public Schools; Greg Purcell, Calhoun County Administrator; Rob Behenke, Pennfield Township Supervisor; Gary Olson, Director of the nonpartisan Senate Fiscal Agency; and Ed Haring, President of Kellogg Community College.

On hand in Jackson will be Emily Kress, Superintendent of Northwest Public Schools; Olson; Mike Jester, Public Safety Director for Blackman Township; Randy Treacher, Jackson County Administrator and local leaders and state officials have also been invited.

Take the opportunity to hear the real story from the nonpartisan Senate Fiscal Agency, and to learn the cuts will effect local government and ultimately you before the Senate Republicans have a chance to spin their still secret budget plan.