By AP
LANSING, MI – Michigan has lost more than 4,000 police officers and firefighters this decade.
Hundreds more could be lost if the state follows through on its current budget plan for the fiscal year scheduled to start Thursday.
Cuts to tax revenue sharing payments that cities, townships, villages and some counties use to help pay for police, fire and other services appear inevitable as state lawmakers work to erase a projected $2.8 billion budget shortfall.
The Michigan Municipal League says the cuts would cause more police and fire layoffs, push some communities into bankruptcy and cut funding for roads, parks, water systems and other services.
Revenue sharing could be cut by at least 12 percent next fiscal year.