LANSING — Republican House Speaker Matt Hall expressed some optimism this weekend that a government shutdown could be avoided, less than two weeks from the Oct. 1 deadline.

At this weekend’s Republican Leadership Conference on Mackinac Island, Hall said he’s “hopeful” that a shutdown can still be averted and that he’s remained in negotiations with Democratic leaders.

Peter Neu, general counsel for the Michigan Association of Governmental Employees, says that a shutdown would be a disservice to Michigan residents who count on support from state agencies.

“People are just left with no resources for the time that we’re closed down — it’s not fair to the citizens,” he said. “If we’ve got these services, we shouldn’t shut them down so that, you know — if you needed them at that time, then yo

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