"We're nearing the end of an embarrassing continuation budget because Lansing didn't get the job done right the first time," said State Representative Tim Bledsoe (D-Grosse Pointe). "It's time to get the job done properly and pass a constitutional amendment that will dock legislators' pay if they ever fail to pass a budget on time again."
The group on Wednesday sent a letter to the Governor, House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Township), Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester), House Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer (R-Bellaire) and Senate Minority Leader Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming) calling for an immediate budget resolution.
"When we fail to pass a balanced budget on time we are hurting our residents, our schools, and our entire state," said State Representative Lesia Liss (D-Warren). "If elected officials can't find a way to do their jobs and balance the state budget, they don't deserve to get paid. Legislators must be held accountable."
The "No Budget, No Pay" constitutional amendment amends Michigan's Constitution to dock Representative, Senators, the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor one day's pay for every day the state budget remains unbalanced past the Oct. 1 deadline.
"Our hard-working residents don't get paid when they don't do their work, elected officials shouldn't be treated any differently," said State Representative Mike "Huck" Huckleberry (D-Greenville). "We all took an oath of office to put the best interests of the people of Michigan first. Government shutdowns and missed deadlines are putting our residents dead last and that's got to stop."