LANSING - State Representative Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) today demanded action from state Senate leaders on a package of reforms designed to cut state spending and restore Michigan residents' confidence in government.
"The people of Michigan deserve a government that serves them better and puts their interests first," Brown said. "The House plan that my colleagues and I passed more than a year ago cuts state spending and holds lawmakers to higher standards. Leaders in the Senate need to listen to the people they represent and take action on these reforms right now."
A series of reforms that passed the House in March 2007 would:
Cut lawmakers' salaries by 5 percent.
End free lifetime health care benefits for lawmakers, an expensive perk that no other profession offers.
Reduce the influence of special interests by prohibiting lawmakers from becoming lobbyists for one year after leaving office.
By pushing for the passage of these reforms, Brown delivered on a promise made when he took office that he would help raise ethics standards in the House to help restore residents' trust in government. Brown also sponsored a plan to take away free state cars for judges and their staff that they used for personal use, a luxury that had cost the state more than $400,000 a year.
"Members of the Michigan Legislature are public servants, and we should lead by example," Brown said. "Our residents' confidence in Lansing is at an all-time low. It's the Legislature's responsibility to fix that problem so that everyone - citizens and legislators alike - can work together to fix our economy and rebuild our state. Senate leaders should pass these reforms immediately to help restore faith in our government."