DETROIT – State Representative Gabe Leland (D-Detroit) today announced a comprehensive plan to reform the state Legislature by limiting the amount of time it meets, slashing legislators' salaries and extending term limits.
"This plan creates the leaner, more efficient and fiscally conservative Legislature that Michigan's citizens deserve," Leland said. "Most other states – 39 of them – succeed with part-time Legislatures, and there's no reason that Michigan can't, as well. Lawmakers can serve just as effectively by meeting for four months a year and staying in office a little longer."
Leland's reform package:
- Requires the Legislature to convene from the second Wednesday in January through April 30. Special sessions could be called at other times as needed. Currently, there is no limit to how many days the Legislature meets each year.
- Cuts legislators' annual salary in half, from the current $79,650 to $40,000. This would save about $6 million a year.
- Extends term limits to six terms in the state House and three terms in the state Senate, for a total of 12 years in each chamber. The current limit is three terms in the House and two terms in the Senate.
Leland's comprehensive plan addresses three urgent needs: the need to save money during Michigan's unprecedented budget crisis; the need to restore citizens' faith in their government; and the need for lawmakers to work efficiently and effectively.
"Having a full-time Legislature creates a 'hurry up to do nothing' environment, and term limits further decrease lawmakers' productivity, '' Leland said. "We need to roll up our sleeves, make this change and get things done."