Secretary of State offices closed Friday

All Secretary of State branch offices will be closed Friday for a state-mandated furlough day.

As a means to cut spending, Gov. Jennifer Granholm ordered all state offices to use six furlough days before September 30 to cut spending and eliminate the state’s budget deficit.

According to michigan.gov, unpaid furlough days will save the state $21.7 million by the end of the state’s fiscal year. Approximately 37,400 state employees will go unpaid the six days, although 15,500 are exempt to maintain public health and safety services.

“Furlough days are mandatory closures for a majority of state offices and are unpaid days off for state employees,” said Kelly Chesney, spokeswoman for the Michigan Secretary of State. “Only offices such as Parks and Recreation and law enforcement remain open during a furlough day,” she said.

The Unemployment Insurance Agency, veteran’s homes and youth facilities and emergency human services programs will also remain open.

According to the state Web site, the remaining five closures are scheduled for July 6, July 24, Aug. 7, Aug. 21 and Sept. 4.

Chesney said the furlough days should not affect local governments and are only required at the state level.

Motorists are encouraged to renew licenses and plates before Friday to avoid any long waits at a local branch office.

“Our busiest times are always before and after closures,” Chesney said. “We always encourage customers to visit their local office a few days before the closure if they can.”

Any driver’s licenses or plates that expire on Friday can be renewed on Monday without penalty because of Secretary of State’s policy to allow an additional day for renewal when state offices are closed.

To avoid the closure, motorists can also renew license plate by mail, or if eligible, by Internet or touch-tone phone. Information and eligibility can be found on the renewal notice.

The Department of State mails renewal notices 45 days before driver’s license or plates expire to ensure motorists have enough time for renewal.

Excluding holidays, normal business hours for the Mount Pleasant Secretary of State branch are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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