I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
LANSING — Some Michigan House Democrats announced plans to push a constitutional amendment that would dock the pay of lawmakers for failing to pass balanced budgets in time.
“Taxpayers shouldn’t have to pay legislators who don’t get the job done,” said State Rep. Mike Huckleberry (D-Greenville). “We all took an oath of office to serve the people of Michigan and to always put their interests first. If legislators can’t balance the budget in time to avoid a government shutdown, then they shouldn’t get paid.”
State Sen. Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit) early Thursday morning asked the State Officers Compensation Committee to dock the pay of House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Township) and Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) “at least $3,000″ for every day the state is without a balanced budget.
And a balanced budget is the key factor here. Under Michigan’s constitution, the state must have a balanced budget in place on Oct. 1 of each year — the beginning of the fiscal year. Democrats are responding to likely voter outrage that for the second time in two years, the state has been forced into a temporary shut down while lawmakers haggled over the budget.
“In the real world if you don’t do your work, you don’t get paid,” said State Rep. Dan Scripps (D-Leland). “Legislators should be no different. This plan will help bring fresh air to Lansing and make sure elected officials are truly working on behalf of Michigan’s residents.”
There are two ways to amend the state’s constitution. Lawmakers can move legislation which puts a proposed amendment on the ballot, or a petition drive can be done to put the question on the ballot.
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter