FY 2009-10 MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET S.B. 250: GOVERNOR'S RECOMMENDATION


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Senate Bill 250 (as introduced) Vehicle for Governor's Recommendation line items is Senate Bill 308.
Committee: Appropriations

FY 2008-09 Year-to-Date Gross Appropriation $183,595,300
Changes from FY 2008-09 Year-to-Date:
  1. Veterans Service Organization (VSO) Grants. The Governor recommended continuation of VSO grants at current FY09 appropriated level of $4,029,600. 0
2. Military Training Sites. The Governor included Federal funds for increased maintenance and support for military training sites, including Camp Grayling and Fort Custer. 496,000
3. Military Retirement. The Governor added GF/GP funds to pay for anticipated payments to retired Michigan Army and Air National Guard per P.A. 150 of 1967. 190,300
4. Starbase Program. The Governor included additional Federal funds for science-related elementary school education program to provide training for Starbase directors from around the country. 550,000
5. Headquarters and Armories. The Governor added Federal funds available for communications and personnel costs. 500,000
6. Capital Outlay Projects. Completion of major FY 2008-09 projects leaves capital outlay special maintenance for military facilities for FY 2009-10 at $15.0 million, Federal. Includes reduction of $450,000 GF/GP in matching funds. (38,400,000)
7. Medicare Authorization Increase. The Governor recommended additional Federal funds eligible for use by the Grand Rapids and D.J. Jacobetti veterans' homes for pharmacy-related costs. 900,000
8. DIT Office Upgrade. The Governor recommended an upgrade to Microsoft Office 2007 for the Department, which includes $16,400 GF/GP. 47,800
9. Guard Education Assistance Program. The Governor recommended a reduction in the program, for an FY 2009-10 appropriation of $750,000 GF/GP. (350,000)
10. State Active Duty. Governor recommended a restricted fund increase to cover additional duties for the Guard at the Labor Day bridge walk. 10,000
11. Internal Audit. The Governor recommended the transfer of this function to the Department of Management and Budget, including $72,500 GF/GP. (111,700)
12. War Memorial. The Governor recommended the elimination of a one-time GF/GP grant for the rehab of the War Memorial at the State Fairgrounds. (5,000)
13. Executive Order Annualization. The Governor recommended including a reduction representing the remainder (to make a full year) of the 2% GF/GP cut from E.O 2008-21.   (84,100)
14. Information Technology. The Governor recommended including a reduction representing the remainder (to make a full year) of the 2% GF/GP cut from E.O 2008-21. . (400)
15. Economic Adjustments. The Governor's overall economic adjustments included $526,800 GF/GP and $7,800 GF/GP for DIT. 1,873,300
Total Changes ($34,383,800)
  FY 2008-09 Governor's Recommendation $149,211,500
FY 2009-10 MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS BUDGET BOILERPLATE HIGHLIGHTS

Changes from FY 2008-09 Year to Date:
Deleted Boilerplate Sections
  1. Hiring Freeze. Required hiring freeze with exceptions permitted by budget director; requires report. (Sec. 205)
2. Privatization. Required privatization plan notice. (Sec. 207)
3. Report Requirements. Required Department to create and retain reports. (Sec. 211)
4. Armory Closing or Consolidation. Required consultation with Legislature prior to armory closing or consolidation. (Sec. 213)
5. State Cemeteries. Required Department to fund State military cemeteries in Crawford and Dickinson Counties should legislation and funding permit their construction (Sec. 214)
6. Information Technology Projects. Allows designation as a work project. (Sec. 223)
7. Disciplinary Action. Prohibited action against employee for communicating with the Legislature. (Sec. 226)
8. Sale of Property. Required 60-day notification prior to the sale of Department property. (Sec. 227)
9. Regional Training Institute (RTI). Provides for management and funding of RTI. (Sec. 229)
10. RTI Guidelines for Use. Lists acceptable users of the RTI in Battle Creek. (Sec. 230)
11. Impact of Public Acts. Requires report on policy changes made due to new public acts and the impact on small businesses. (Sec. 231)
12. County Counselor Incentive. Language to state intent for Department to create incentive for all counties to fund at least one full-time veterans' counselor. (Sec. 233)
13. Veterans Benefit Status. Language to state intent for Department to investigate methods by which a veteran could check his or her benefit status by telephone or on line. (Sec. 234)
14. Travel Limitation. Provides guidelines for travel outside of State for professional development purposes. (Sec. 237)
15. Armory Rental. Allowed for rental fees of Armories and equipment. (Sec. 301)
16. War Memorial. Provides guidelines for $5,000 for State Fairgrounds War Memorial restoration. (Sec. 305)
17. Veterans Homes' Expenditures. Prohibited expenditure for other than for veterans and families. (Sec. 601)
18. Veterans Homes' Report. Required annual report of State veterans' homes. (Sec. 602)
19. Post, Posthumous Funds. Language requiring 30-day notification prior to the Department altering the spending plan of the Board of Managers at a veteran's home. (Sec 604)
20. County Counselor Assistance. Required steps to assist county veterans' counselors to obtain training. (Sec. 704)
  Amended Boilerplate Sections
  21. Guard Education Assistance Program. The Governor reduced program from $1.1 million to $750,000. (Sec. 302)
22. Out-of-State Travel Policy. The Governor removed a monthly reporting requirement. (Sec. 225)
  23. Contingency Fund Transfer Process. The Governor increased Federal funds from $5.0 to $10.0 million. (Sec. 232)
24. Veterans Service Organization Grants. The Governor deleted an efficiency report requirement. (Sec.501)

Date Completed: 2-19-09 Fiscal Analyst: Bruce Baker Bill Analysis @ http://www.senate.michigan.gov/sfa This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations. HImil_gr