03/11/2008
CONTACT: Charlie Owens, 517-485-3409 or Jason Brewer, 202-406-4435
LANSING, Mich. -- The state's best-known advocate for small business -- the National Federation of Independent Business -- announced today that it would be joining forces with the Committee to Turn Michigan Around to put a proposal to create a part-time legislature before the voters on the 2008 November ballot. The Committee to Turn Michigan Around is a ballot initiative committee supported by the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Homebuilders Association of Greater Kalamazoo and a grassroots network of citizens represented by the ballot initiative committee Reform Michigan Government.
The decision to join the coalition was announced after a NFIB Member Ballot indicated strong support for the measure.
"The call for a part-time Legislature has come up from time to time with our members," said Charlie Owens, NFIB/Michigan state director. "But recent events with the budget and tax issues have generated more interest in the concept than ever before." According to Owens, in a recent member survey conducted after this year's budget debacle, just over 70 percent of the members responding supported a move to a part-time legislature.
"The decision by NFIB to support the Committee to Turn Michigan Around is a clear boost to our efforts and highlights the multi-faceted support this initiative is beginning to drive," said Steward Sandstrom, CCE, president and CEO of the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber.
The ballot proposal would limit the Legislature to meeting a maximum of 100 session days per year, completed no later than May 31. In addition, the proposal advocates the elimination of lifetime benefits for legislators, and to cut their pay by at least half. The proposal also calls for the elimination of term limits. More information can be found at the Committee to Turn Michigan Around Web site.
Owens predicted that many other groups and organizations will come to a similar conclusion and join the effort as they review the proposal.
"It has become clear that small business owners see a part-time legislature as the answer to what many feel has become a dysfunctional process and system," Owens said. "We look forward to working with other reform-minded associations and individuals to change the legislative process in Michigan."
