LANSING – State Representatives Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores), Jennifer Haase (D-Richmond) and Jon Switalski (D-Warren) today approved a 10 percent cut in the salaries of Michigan's lawmakers and other elected officials, and called on the Senate to do more to hold legislators accountable and share in the sacrifices being asked of the people of Michigan.
"When it comes down to it, we all need to do our part," Roberts said. "Our focus as lawmakers must be on cutting costs where we can while creating good-paying jobs and working to turn our economy around. Passing this plan today is a good first step toward a more streamlined and efficient state government."
The House approved a resolution proposed by Haase in February that called on the State Officers Compensation Commission (SOCC), the body in charge of determining legislator salaries, to decrease lawmakers' salaries by 10 percent, as well as the salaries of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General and the Secretary of State. Earlier this month the SOCC voted to recommend a 10 percent pay cut for elected officials. The SOCC's recommendation went before the House and Senate for a full vote and was passed by each chamber to make it official.
"I am pleased my colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the House and Senate worked together to pass this plan," Haase said. "We must all keep working together to move Michigan forward. It's the right thing to do for our residents and our state."
The plan to cut lawmakers' pay is part of an ongoing effort by the Michigan House to bring much-needed reform to state government. Earlier this month the House passed three measures that will:
- Dock lawmakers' pay each time they miss a day of session with an unexcused absence.
- Prohibit legislators from becoming lobbyists for two years after leaving office, effectively ending the revolving door between lawmakers and lobbying firms.
- Require certain state officials and candidates for elected office to disclose their personal finances to the Bureau of Elections.
"As legislators, we are elected to address issues that are important to Michigan citizens," Switalski said. "These measures ensure that state government is serving the needs of the people. I urge the Senate to take action on these much-needed reforms."