State of the State comes to mid-Michigan

Gratiot and Clinton county residents can receive up-to-the-minute information on the state’s budget picture during two presentations hosted by state Rep. Paul Opsommer.

Opsommer has invited Mitchell Bean, director of the Michigan House Fiscal Agency, to give presentations on the condition of Michigan’s finances. Bean is one of three nonpartisan officials who determines the economic forecast that serves as the basis for the state budget.

The presentations will be held at the following locations:

Clinton County RESA, 1013 S. US Highway 27, Suite A, St. Johns, Monday, 11/16, 6:30 to 8:30, near the South Point Mall); and Ithaca Community Center, 120 N. Maple St., Ithaca, on Tuesday, 11/17, 6:30 to 8:30.

Bean’s presentation is open to the public and will be especially helpful for city administrators, school officials, and anyone who desires a complete understanding of Michigan’s deteriorating revenue picture and household income forecasts.

“I highly encourage anyone who is interested to attend,” said Opsommer, R-DeWitt. “We all know that Michigan is not doing well, but it can also be difficult to understand how this year’s budget is truly different than even the financial problems we have seen in the past two years. Mr. Bean’s presentation is very thorough and eye-opening, and is the exact same data the Legislature is using in making its decisions.”

The presentations are free of charge and no reservation is required.