According to an article
in the 'Detroit Free Press' (Nov. 14, 2007),
editorial section, page 10 A, attorney and
business owner, Henry
Woloson, from Clarkston, MI, is
heading a movement to place a proposal on
the 2008 ballot
for a part-time legislature in Michigan.
Some facts he
provided:
1 - 46 states have part-time legislatures.
2 -
Michigan has 148 full-time legislators.
3 - Michigan has
23% more legislators than California. We have a population
of 10 million. California's is 36 million.
4 -
California is the only state in the US that pays its
lawmakers more than
Michigan.
5 - $115 million-plus is
allocated each year for the operation of the
legislature.
This does not include lifetime health
benefits for former legislators.
Under the new
proposal:
1 - Legislative sessions would be limited to 90
days between Jan. 1 and
April 30 each year.
2 -
Special sessions could be ca lled - no additional
compensation.
3 - Elimination of lifetime benefits for
legislators.
4 - Freezing salaries pending later
review.
5 - Downsizing from 148 members to 100 members. (75
representative and 25
senators)
6 - Estimated annual
savings - more than $30 million.
Other current
considerations:
1 - Extending term limits to 12 years for
voters who value legislative
experience.
2 - Having
terms of both representative and senators be 4 years with 1/2
of
each group standing for election every 2
years.
Quote:
'Michigan needs our state government
to become more productive and less
expensive with greater
accountability. We hope concerned Michigan citizens
will
support our efforts to let the voters decide if they wish to
join the
vast majority of states effectively operating
with a part-time legislature.'
Please forward to
all that you t hink might be interested.