State Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch) is fighting to protect funding for county fairs in the state budget. Elimination of the funding has been proposed for the Fiscal Year 2005-2006 budget. The elimination would cripple the Missaukee Agricultural Youth Show beginning in 2006.
Fairs receive Building and Track Improvement Grants on an annual basis. Many fairs use these grants for general operational expenses. Funding for these grants comes in part from horse racing revenue - a declining source of income for the state. Elimination of the grants would save the state $6 million and the cut was recommended as part of the 2005-2006 Executive Budget.
"Budget planners sitting around a table in Lansing apparently believe local fair funding is at the bottom of the list of budget priorities," Sheltrown explained. "They fail to understand the benefit that agricultural fairs have for Michigan's children, particularly those from rural areas."
While the fair grants remain in jeopardy until work on the budget is completed, the House of Representatives recently voted to restore full funding for the coming year. Sheltrown explained that as more legislators from rural areas become aware of the impact of this proposed cut, the likelihood of the funds remaining in the budget increase. In Missaukee County, Sheltrown added, cutting the $14,000 the Missaukee Agricultural Youth Show receives would destroy a wonderful fair for many local families.