There is strong legislative movement to impose a strict penalty on both the legislature and governor to settle the budget in a timely fashion. The current impasse in Lansing is causing great distress to schools and other local units of government across the state.
I wrote yesterday that Governor Candidate Mike Bouchard is pushing for a penalty of a day’s pay for every day past May 15 that the state’s budget is not finalized.
Way to go, Mr. Bouchard!
The suggestion has not been lost on a bi-partisan group of freshman legislators. According to the
Detroit Free Press 27 lawmakers called for a constitutional amendment to require passage of a new state budget by July 1. Like Bouchard’s idea, for each day legislators surpass the deadline, they’d be docked a day’s pay.
Sounds good, however I believe the Governor and Lt. Governor should be a part of such an amendment.
Call your Senator and State Representative to endorse this movement.
