-----Original Message-----
From: skubickt@aol.com
To: skubicktoaklandpress@blogger.com
Sent: Thu, Sep 24, 2009 6:02 am
Subject: This Thing Could Work

    What a difference two years makes.  In 2007, capitol correspondents were running all over the joint trying to keep an eye on the illusive governor who shuffled from one legislative office to another trying to work a deal to balance the budget and avert the government shutdown.

    Fast-forward to right now.  Alas the governor's role in this current budget struggle appears to have been reduced to issuing press releases from the sidelines through the press secretary.  No one has seen hide or hair of the state's top executive in the midst of all the turmoil this week.

    There's no question Gov. Jennifer Granholm is engaged and is being kept up to date via her budget director, but she's not negotiating with anyone as far as we can tell.  The two guys who run the house and senate have20taken over the task…a rare scene to say the least.

    At this read there are strong signs that the guys, Speaker Andy Dillon (D) and senate GOP leader Mike Bishop may actually pull this off:  Adopting $1.2 billion in budget cuts to balance the books, and then come back next week to raise some new revenue to restore some of the monster cuts adopted this week.

    It's the most unorthodox budget strategy ever seen in this town and it just might work, despite the protestations from the governor and other democrats who don't trust Dillon or Bishop.

    If it works, Dillon's stature goes sky high and chatter about him running for governor will go up with it.  Bishop's role in handling the revenue increase remains a work in progress and how he does it, will impact his bid for state attorney general.

    Another key figure in all this is Rep. George Cushingberry (D-Detroit) who is the guy in the room with the most budget experience and he is using it to push th e all cuts budget with the=2 0trailer revenue increases to follow.

   "Cush", as he is affectionately known in town, is confident all this will work.

     And by the end of next week, a reluctant and bystander governor may have to concede it did.  Talk about your rare scenes.