LANSING – After Wednesday's rejection of the Reform Michigan Government Now (RMGN) ballot proposal by the Michigan Court of Appeals, State Representative Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids) today demanded action from the Republican-led Senate on a package of reforms designed to cut state spending and restore Michigan residents' confidence in government. Since the proposal will not appear on the ballot to give Michigan residents the opportunity to vote for change, it is incumbent upon the Legislature to enact much-needed reforms.
"Michigan is facing difficult times, and as lawmakers, we need to lead by example," Dean said. "Our residents are making sacrifices just to make ends meet, and my colleagues and I need to share in those sacrifices to move our state forward. Over a year ago, the House passed a plan that ends special treatment for State Legislators, and I call on my colleagues in the Senate to join us."
A series of reforms, which passed the House in March 2007, would:
- Cut lawmakers' salaries by 5 percent.
- End free lifetime health care benefits for lawmakers.
- End the revolving door between the Legislature and lobbyists by prohibiting lawmakers from becoming lobbyists for one year after leaving office.
With the passage of these reforms, Dean delivered on a promise made at the beginning of 2006 that they would raise ethics standards in the House to help restore residents' trust in government. The far-reaching RMGN ballot proposal also included these reforms, among other cost-cutting measures.
"I am here in Lansing to serve the interests of the people – not myself or the special interests," said Dean, who sponsored the plan to end lifetime health care benefits. "This plan puts the people first, and that's exactly how it should be. We need to restore our residents' faith and trust in our government, and I call on the Senate to take a step in that direction and pass these reforms."