Effect on MSU

In case of a state shutdown, some research programs that receive state funding might be affected, but in general, MSU will suffer minimal damages, President Lou Anna K. Simon said at a faculty council meeting.

“We have a plan for managing the operating budget so the basic function of the university will proceed,” she said. “We will not close the whole university and the basic functions will proceed because of the planning that has been done.”

However, Simon said, faculty members with a contract from the state may have to review it very carefully.

“Many (contracts) have language that say if the legislature does not appropriate the funds, the contract is void and so a shutdown could affect that language – or it may not,” Simon said.

The government won’t tinker with MSU or other higher education entities until at least Oct. 16 if the shutdown occurs, Simon said.

State offices could close

Michigan’s Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land informed citizens Tuesday they should renew driver’s licenses, vehicle registrations and license plate tabs now, in the event a government shutdown occurs.

“If the worst happened and there is a state government shutdown this coming Monday, they might want to get a jump on things and take care of business this week,” said Ken Silfven, spokesman for Michigan Department of State.

As far as law enforcement is concerned, Michigan State Police were unable to be reached and Ingham County Sheriff Gene Wrigglesworth said he wouldn’t know what would happen in a shutdown.

Legislators won’t be paid

For days, citizens have demanded legislators act on a budget or lose their paychecks. In the event a government shutdown were to occur, the latter would hold true.

House Representatives and employees were informed by memo on Monday they could expect to lose their pay, 401(k) contributions and life insurance payment beginning Sept. 30. Their Oct. 4 paycheck would be reduced by five working days.

Representatives would also be expected to continue reporting for sessions and healthcare coverage would continue through Oct. 31. House employees also would be eligible to apply for unemployment compensation.

An internal memo also was sent to Senate employees informing them their paychecks might be cut by 40 percent if a budget isn’t passed by the House and Gov. Jennifer Granholm, according to The Associated Press.

The House memo indicated that tours of the Capitol would discontinue during the shutdown and access to the House Office Building would not be allowed.

What’s happened in other state shutdowns

It happened in Pennsylvania — for one day.

“We did have a number of services close,” said Chuck Ardo, press secretary for Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell. “State parks were closed and campers were forced to leave camp sites. Museums were closed, driver’s license bureaus, all services that were considered non-essential. Anything that had to do with health or the welfare of the public were considered essential services.”

Gov. Granholm would also have the same ability to determine non-essential services from essential ones, allowing her to decide what state services could still operate.

“The governor met with her cabinet to discuss contingency plans, but again we are working toward a comprehensive solution for the budget,” said Megan Brown, spokeswoman for Granholm. “If we are forced to do a government shutdown we will finalize those plans at the end of the week.”

Government staff in Pennsylvania remained at their jobs during the shutdown and deferred their paychecks until after their state’s budget was passed, Ardo said.

Despite the Pennsylvania upset, everything managed to pick up from where it left off, however a longer shutdown would have been more problematic, Ardo said.