Comments on: Mr. Welday and The Very Good Idea http://farmingtonenterprise.com/2008/07/11/mr-welday-and-the-very-good-idea/ Farmington Michigan News & Views Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:18:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Richard Lerner http://farmingtonenterprise.com/2008/07/11/mr-welday-and-the-very-good-idea/#comment-290 Richard Lerner Sat, 12 Jul 2008 14:49:44 +0000 http://farmingtonenterprise.wordpress.com/?p=280#comment-290 I like the idea of a Legislature that meets only every other year. It's already being done in 6 states: Arkansas, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon and Texas. In Texas, they passed a $142 billion 2-year budget in their 120 day session in the spring of 2007. They don't meet at all in even numbered years. Their next session will be in 2009. So it can be done, even in states with budgets and populations larger than Michigan. However, realistically, we can't get there overnight; we have to learn to walk before we can run. It’s unlikely that legislators will ever vote themselves a significant pay cut and reduction in hours. The part-time legislature initiative will need to come from a ballot proposal. There may be one on the ballot in November, but it’s still short of the required number of signatures. However, there are some interesting opportunities for interim steps to help move toward a part-time legislature. We can require that the budget be completed by a fixed date early in the session, preferably at least a month before the required completion of school budgets (June 30). That would give our schools a fighting chance to get their finances in order for the coming year. Education funding is the largest single portion of the state budget. It would also mean that the largest part of a legislator’s job is done early in the year. This would leave plenty of time to rename roadways and pass non-binding resolutions recognizing things like National Ice Cream week. We can limit the ability for legislators to shift money from various funds back to the general fund when they “find” unexpected balances above forecasts. Just because one area didn’t spend every dollar they were given, it doesn’t mean someone else has to. Not spending money can be just as rewarding as spending money. Michigan falls into the 8% of our country with full-time legislatures. Then there is the 12% of the country with alternate year legislatures. How about if we join the 80% of the country that has part-time legislatures? The part-time legislature is an idea whose time has come in Michigan. We are by far the smallest of the 4 states with full-time legislatures (others are New York, California & Pennsylvania). An alternate year legislature may also have great appeal, but it's not for everyone, and it’s pretty far out of our league right now. A journey of a thousand miles still begins with a first step. Let’s put on our shoes, go outside and take a walk for the good of Michigan. Neither side of the aisle has anything to be proud of from the last session. We need to get serious about changing our state government. And a part-time legislature is a step in the right direction. If you see a petition for a part-time legislature, please think about signing it so we can have this on the ballot state-wide in November. I like the idea of a Legislature that meets only every other year. It’s already being done in 6 states: Arkansas, Montana, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon and Texas. In Texas, they passed a $142 billion 2-year budget in their 120 day session in the spring of 2007. They don’t meet at all in even numbered years. Their next session will be in 2009. So it can be done, even in states with budgets and populations larger than Michigan. However, realistically, we can’t get there overnight; we have to learn to walk before we can run.

It’s unlikely that legislators will ever vote themselves a significant pay cut and reduction in hours. The part-time legislature initiative will need to come from a ballot proposal. There may be one on the ballot in November, but it’s still short of the required number of signatures. However, there are some interesting opportunities for interim steps to help move toward a part-time legislature. We can require that the budget be completed by a fixed date early in the session, preferably at least a month before the required completion of school budgets (June 30). That would give our schools a fighting chance to get their finances in order for the coming year. Education funding is the largest single portion of the state budget. It would also mean that the largest part of a legislator’s job is done early in the year. This would leave plenty of time to rename roadways and pass non-binding resolutions recognizing things like National Ice Cream week. We can limit the ability for legislators to shift money from various funds back to the general fund when they “find” unexpected balances above forecasts. Just because one area didn’t spend every dollar they were given, it doesn’t mean someone else has to. Not spending money can be just as rewarding as spending money.

Michigan falls into the 8% of our country with full-time legislatures. Then there is the 12% of the country with alternate year legislatures. How about if we join the 80% of the country that has part-time legislatures? The part-time legislature is an idea whose time has come in Michigan. We are by far the smallest of the 4 states with full-time legislatures (others are New York, California & Pennsylvania). An alternate year legislature may also have great appeal, but it’s not for everyone, and it’s pretty far out of our league right now.

A journey of a thousand miles still begins with a first step. Let’s put on our shoes, go outside and take a walk for the good of Michigan. Neither side of the aisle has anything to be proud of from the last session. We need to get serious about changing our state government. And a part-time legislature is a step in the right direction. If you see a petition for a part-time legislature, please think about signing it so we can have this on the ballot state-wide in November.

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