MONROE – House Majority Floor Leader Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee) and State Representatives Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown) Kate Ebli (D-Monroe) today announced a package of government reforms that will close the revolving door between lobbying groups and lawmakers, force elected officials to disclose their finances and dock lawmakers' pay for each day of session they miss. The lawmakers also called on the Republican-controlled Senate to pass 10 percent salary cuts for lawmakers, a measure passed by the House two weeks ago.
"Our residents deserve a state government that works for them," Angerer said. "When lawmakers miss work or put special interests or personal agendas ahead of their communities, they are doing a great disservice to our residents. These simple reforms will ensure lawmakers are held accountable to our residents, and that they always put the people of Michigan first."
The government reform plan introduced today will:
- End the revolving door between lawmakers and lobbying firms by prohibiting legislators from becoming lobbyists for two years after leaving office.
- Increase financial disclosure requirements to require candidates for elected office and state officials to submit personal financial statements and reports to the Bureau of Elections.
- Dock lawmakers' pay each time that they miss a day of House session.
"These are simple reforms that are long overdue," Kennedy said. "Our job is to represent our communities and be responsive to the needs of our residents – not powerful special interest groups or lobbyists. These common-sense reforms will help fix our Legislature and return it to the people, where it belongs."
Ebli introduced a plan to increase financial disclosure by requiring legislators to make their earnings public by placing their sources of income online. Michigan is one of only three states that do not require financial disclosure from its elected officials.
"If we truly want to restore the public's trust in their government, we must shine a bright spotlight on our elected officials," Ebli said. "The public has a right to know that when we cast a vote, it is in their best interest and not for personal financial gain. Making elected officials' finances publicly available will help uncover any potential conflicts of interests and hold lawmakers accountable to the people they represent. Increasing transparency and disclosure will force politicians to focus on the issues that matter to Michigan families, like creating good-paying jobs and getting our economy back on track."