Signed by Governor Jennifer Granholm

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that appropriates funds for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2007-2008.

Highlights:

-$129.4 million in state and federal funds to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (Sec. 101). -$3.9 million to veterans service organizations (Sec. 105). -$49 million in state and federal funds to the Grand Rapids Veterans' Home (Sec. 106). -$15.9 million in state and federal funds to the D.J. Jacobetti Veterans' Home (Sec. 107). -Prohibits state departments and agencies from hiring any new full-time civil service employees or filling any vacant full-time civil service position. The state budget director is permitted to grant exceptions to the hiring freeze (Sec. 205). -Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for the purchase of foreign goods and services when competitively priced American goods and services of comparable quality are available. Gives preference to Michigan businesses, especially those owned or operated by veterans, if the produced goods are competitively priced and of comparable quality (Sec. 209). -Establishes a national guard education assistance program to help cover the tuition costs for active members of the national guard enrolled in a college or university (Sec. 212). -Restricts the use of state appropriated funds for the out-of-state travel of state employees (Sec. 225).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to adopt a conference report that appropriates funds for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2007-2008.

Highlights:

-$129.4 million in state and federal funds to the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (Sec. 101). -$3.9 million to veterans service organizations (Sec. 105). -$49 million in state and federal funds to the Grand Rapids Veterans' Home (Sec. 106). -$15.9 million in state and federal funds to the D.J. Jacobetti Veterans' Home (Sec. 107). -Prohibits state departments and agencies from hiring any new full-time civil service employees or filling any vacant full-time civil service position. The state budget director is permitted to grant exceptions to the hiring freeze (Sec. 205). -Prohibits the use of appropriated funds for the purchase of foreign goods and services when competitively priced American goods and services of comparable quality are available. Gives preference to Michigan businesses, especially those owned or operated by veterans, if the produced goods are competitively priced and of comparable quality (Sec. 209). -Establishes a national guard education assistance program to help cover the tuition costs for active members of the national guard enrolled in a college or university (Sec. 212). -Restricts the use of state appropriated funds for the out-of-state travel of state employees (Sec. 225).

Full Bill Text