04/02/2008
CONTACT: Charles Owens, 517-485-3409 or Jason Brewer, 202-406-4435
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- The state's best-known advocate for small business, the National Federation of Independent Business, presented a check today for $10,000 to the Committee to Turn Michigan Around at a meeting held at the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce. The Committee to Turn Michigan Around is a ballot initiative committee supported by NFIB, 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 purpose of the committee is to put a part-time legislature proposal before the voters on the 2008 November ballot. If passed by the voters, the proposal would:
- Require that the Legislature complete its work by May 31.
- Eliminate lifetime benefits for lawmakers.
- Cut lawmaker's pay by at least half.
- Only pay for days lawmakers show up for work.
- Eliminate term limits.
- Allow the governor to call special sessions in an emergency.
NFIB joined forces with the Committee to Turn Michigan Around in March. A recent state-wide poll conducted by Marketing Resource Group, a national public opinion research firm based in Michigan, revealed that if a part-time legislature proposal were put in front of the voters today, it would pass by a strong (71 percent) margin.
"We are happy to pitch in and do our part to gather the signatures necessary to get this proposal in front of the voters," said Charlie Owens, state director for NFIB/Michigan. "Nothing less than Michigan's future is at stake."
More information can be found at www.turnmichiganaround.com.
