With the approval of the FY 2013 – FY 2015 county budget, citizens are left with more of the same out of the Patterson administration - partisanship and a lack of new ideas.

It is a shame that the Republican-controlled County Commission rejected every single idea and proposal presented by the Democrats on that Commission.  How is it possible that none of the items presented by these commissioners was worthy of consideration?  The answer is simple - it's not possible.  These proposals were not defeated on their merit.  They were defeated because they were submitted by Democrats.  Brooks Patterson has given Republican Commissioners clear marching orders - make sure the Democrats never have an opportunity to look good.  Not only is this tactic right out of the Mitch McConnell playbook, this gamesmanship is not in the best interest of Oakland County residents.

Given this approach, coupled with the fact that the Patterson administration has no vision as to how to move Oakland County forward, residents of Oakland County are left with more of the same.  This budget fails to think strategically about economic development, avoids a thoughtful analysis around which programs are working and which are not, and continues to ignore the need to retain and attract the best and brightest minds in the county workforce.  This budget is just another indication that the Patterson administration has blinders on about the challenges facing Oakland County.  If challenges are not acknowledged, they cannot be addressed.