LANSING – In a letter sent to legislative leaders, State Representative Jennifer Haase (D-Richmond) along with a bipartisan group of freshman lawmakers on Wednesday called on Lansing leadership to impart a new sense of urgency in resolving Michigan's fiscal crisis. The group also renewed its call to dock legislators' pay when they fail to pass the state budget on time.
"It's appalling that the Legislature failed to enact a balanced budget in a timely manner – a delay that burdens our residents, local governments and schools," Haase said. "There's just too much at stake in Michigan to let political bickering disrupt any efforts to do what's best for our residents and to move our state forward. It's time for our leaders in Lansing to get to work and get the job done – and if they can't they shouldn't get paid."
Haase and other freshman lawmakers on Wednesday sent a letter to the Governor, House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Township), Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester), House Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer (R-Bellaire) and Senate Minority Leader Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming) calling for an immediate budget resolution.
The "No Budget, No Pay" constitutional amendment changes Michigan's Constitution to dock Representative, Senators, the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor one day's pay for every day the state budget remains unbalanced past the Oct. 1 deadline.