The Michigan Department of Technology,
Management & Budget had been working on contingency plans in preparation
for the federal government shutdown heading into November; however, all of that
stopped Wednesday night with Congress and the President approving a continuing
resolution to reopen the government and prevent a credit default, for the
time-being.
The state saw little effect from the
shutdown, certainly not in services to the general public. Examples of halted
operations include inspections of new nursing homes or inspections required
under federal occupational health and safety programs.
As expected, the measure to reopen the
government passed the U.S. House with significant support from Democratic
representatives. In fact, not a single Democratic U.S. House member voted in
opposition. The measure also received support from moderate Republican members
– a trend reflected in the votes of Michigan ’s
U.S. House delegation.
Generally considered the more conservative
members of the delegation, Representatives Justin Amash (R-Cascade Township ),
Kerry Bentivolio (R-Milford), Bill Huizenga (R-Zeeland), and Tim Walburg
(R-Tipton) all voted no. The only surprise came from historically moderate
Republican Representative Candice Miller (R-Harrison Township )
who also voted no.