Ask and They Shall Receive

Editor's note: The following is an edited version of testimony given by Kenneth M. Braun, policy analyst, to the Michigan House Appropriations Committee on May 20, 2009.)

Good afternoon Mr. Chairman and members of the committee.

Thank you so much for the invitation to testify. I greatly appreciate that you are the first Appropriations Committee in either chamber of the Legislature to ask for my advice. I'd like to clarify before I begin that, while my remarks have been tailored to the work of this body, a comparable statement could and should also be directed at the Senate. I mention this because what I am about to say to you may not win me an invitation to speak in the Appropriations Room on the other side of the building anytime soon.
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