Michigan Faces Budget Crisis
Is Downsizing the Legislature the Answer to the Problem?
According to the Associated Press, "The state faces an $800 million deficit for this budget year and a hole that could be twice as large for the fiscal year that starts in October."
Lawmakers are considering several proposals to aid in this crisis. Some proposed ideas include cuts in education and Medicaid, and an increase in state income taxes.
The most aggressive proposal comes from Senate Majority Leader, Republican Mike Bishop from the eastern side of the state. It is rare for the state legislature to meet around a holiday weekend; nevertheless, according to Associated Press, Bishop planned a Friday session and wanted staffers around on Saturday. Bishop hopes to discuss how the legislature themselves can be more fiscally responsible and be forerunners in the balancing of the state budget.
Michigan currently has 148 legislators on the payroll. These legislators are classified as "full-time" and receive an annual salary of around $80,000, plus perks and other benefits. This is a set salary and thus is the same no matter how many days they are in session. Michigan is one of only a few states with a "full-time" legislature. Most other states pay their legislators based upon the number of days they are in session.
Bishop realizes that a change to a "part-time" legislature will not have an immediate affect upon the current budget problem; nevertheless, he and others believe that it would be a move in the right direction. It is also important to note that per Michigan law, the decision to reclassify the legislature would have to be decided upon by the people through a statewide vote.
Bishop is not the first legislator to propose downsizing the legislature from full-time to part-time. Senator Bruce Patterson, a Republican also from the eastern side of the state, brought the issue to the floor earlier this year. Representative Jacob Hoogendyk, Jr., a Republican from Kalamozoo, introduced a similar bill in 2004. To date legislators have overwhelmingly rejected any bill proposing a reclassification of the legislature from "full-time" to "part-time".
Associated Press - Senate leader open to reforms, talk of part-time Legislature
Published by Dee Dee Smith
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8 Comments
Post a CommentRight on--if MI could learn from WI and kick these ingrates off after 2 yrs, they could erase the deficit. But no, if that were to happen every politician would certainly have someone (in their family that relies on welfare) that have to move back home. And then, god forbid, it would become a 'family' responibility rather than a 'taxpayer' responsibility. Oh no, 'we woldn't want to take welfare from those who really need it.' Well, who 'needs' to be on welfare for 20-30 yrs. Save our State, GET A JOB or pack your sh**!
End all welfare. What a concept! Change the welfare system and take away the incentive for immoral lifestyles these idiots live.
It's time we quit stripping life from the already poverty struck people. We can contribute to the well being of other countries yet look at the situation here in Michigan. Health care needs to be provided for everyone. Keep people well so they can work. And, taking care of the children should be an ongoing debt we pay for making it to the age we have. Let's start trimming off resources from the top so we can all affiliate and work together for a better state.
I know everyone will gripe but wouldn't the biggest help come from a sales tax increase? Even the tourists would then be pitching in some. Property tax hikes don't affect everyone. Plus since we are one of 4 states with full time legislaters how about they take some cuts instead of us working middle/lower classes taking the cuts? I think they need to cut from the top then work their way down not from the bottom.
Excellent reporting. I just moved back to Michigan and had no idea about all of this. I've heard it mentioned on the news and such that this is affecting food pantries and other services as well. I'll have to see if there are any updates.
Great reporting.... And thanks for the comment about the news brief..!
Sorry Marquis. My vote wouldn't count because I don't live in Detroit :-). I'm on the other side of the state.
It's time for some major changes in Michigan.