By Staff
NILES – If you need your drivers license renewed, new tags for your license plate or anything else from the Secretary of State, you may want to do so now.
Michigan residents are being advised about a possible Oct. 1 state government shutdown.
The state is facing a possible $1.75 billion shortfall in the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1. If lawmakers can't come to a conclusion or approve a temporary extension before then, services that rely on the state, including school funding, could be at risk.
"Because of the state's uncertain budget situation, those needing Secretary of State services within the next couple of weeks may wish to act now and avoid possible delays," Land said. "There are a number of convenient service options. Just stop by a branch or skip the trip to the branch office altogether and renew tabs via the internet, phone or by mail. Or you can renew vehicle tabs instantly at self-service stations in the Secretary of State PLUS offices and SUPER! centers across Michigan."
Online, Self-Service Station and touch-tone phone license plate renewal is available to those customers with a renewal notice that has a personal identification number (PIN). Self-Service Stations are ATM-style machines that feature simple touch-screen instructions and can dispense new license tabs within seconds. Customers simply scan the bar code on a renewal notice that has their correct name, address, vehicle information and PIN, and swipe any branded debit or credit card to pay their registration fees.
The lack of a state budget for the fiscal year that starts Monday, Oct. 1, would close most state agencies until a budget is approved by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. In addition to the branch office closures, department personnel who process transactions conducted online or through the mail would not be working so those transactions would be delayed as well.
Governor Jennifer M. Granholm announced that in the event of a partial shutdown of state government next Monday, essential services will be maintained to protect the health and safety of Michigan residents. Granholm made the announcement as she continues to negotiate with state lawmakers who have yet to approve a comprehensive solution to the state's budget crisis.
"The Legislature's failure to agree to a comprehensive solution that will prevent massive cuts to public safety, health care, and education for Michigan citizens will not keep us from doing what is necessary to protect the families of this state," Granholm said.
"In the event the Legislature forces us into a partial government shutdown, it is our intention to continue the most vital services until a budget resolution is reached."
The governor continues to meet with lawmakers to resolve the budget crisis and is hopeful a resolution can be reached today when steps to shut down state government on Monday must begin. In the event a partial shutdown is necessary, details will be released on Friday.