LANSING – State Representatives Dian Slavens (D-Canton) and Marc Corriveau (D-Northville) today voted for a plan that will bring much-needed reforms to state government and hold legislators accountable. The plan now heads to the Senate.
"These reforms are vital to ensuring that our elected officials are focused on our top priorities – creating good-paying jobs for Michigan's workers and getting our economy back on its feet," Slavens said. "Our residents deserve to have lawmakers in Lansing who are working for them, not in their own self-interests. We must crack down on conflicts of interest and make sure that the people come first, and this plan will help do that."
The Michigan House today passed three measures that will:
Prohibit legislators from becoming lobbyists for two years after leaving office; effectively ending the revolving door between lawmakers and lobbying firms.
Dock lawmakers' pay each time they miss a day of session with an unexcused absence.
Require certain state officials and candidates for elected office to disclose their personal finances to the Bureau of Elections.
The measures are part of an ongoing effort by the Michigan House to bring much-needed reform to state government. In February, the House passed a plan to cut the salaries of lawmakers and other elected officials by 10 percent. That legislation is awaiting action in the Senate.
"Lawmakers who don't show up for work don't deserve to get paid," said Corriveau, who had a perfect voting and attendance record in the 2007-2008 legislative session. "Serving in the Michigan House of Representatives is an honor and a privilege. Our residents have put their faith in us, and we can't let them down. I call on my colleagues in the Senate to pass these common-sense reforms."