YPSILANTI – Washtenaw County Democrats Rep. Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee), Rep. Pam Byrnes (D-Lyndon
Township), Rep. Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) and Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Salem) today held a town hall meeting with local
residents to outline the details of a budget agreement that will protect funding for schools, public safety and health
care while investing in Michigan's future.
"House Democrats led the way by passing a bold plan to solve our state's unprecedented fiscal crisis," Angerer said.
"Our plan contained a mix of cuts, reforms and revenues and also protected funding for vital services and gets
Michigan's economy on track."
Michigan's fiscal emergency was brought on by nearly a decade of tax
cuts that resulted in a loss of revenue so devastating that the state's general fund is now 30 percent lower than it was
even in 2000.
"The purpose of this town hall is to make the budget process accessible to all
Washtenaw County residents,"
Byrnes said. "We want our constituents to understand that while the budget process can seem unwieldy, it is designed to
be open to the public's participation. Our job here tonight is to come back and explain how this budget plan affects
Washtenaw residents."
