Legislators’ pay would be withheld for failure to complete a state budget under a constitutional amendment introduced this week.
Key Points:
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- Senate Joint Resolution E was introduced by Senator Kevin Daley (R-Lum).
- It would amend the Michigan Constitution to prescribe withholding paychecks from legislators and the governor if the July 1 budget deadline is missed.
- Pay would continue to be withheld until a balanced state budget is passed and signed into law.
- While the state fiscal year begins on October 1, schools need to have a budget in place before the start of the school year. If a state budget isn’t passed prior to that, schools are unsure of the amount of funding they will receive from the state, making it challenging to create a budget.
- Additionally, if a state budget isn’t in place when the new fiscal year begins, state government is shut down, impacting workers and services to Michigan residents.
Next Steps:
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- SJR E was referred to the Government Operations Committee.
- To go before Michigan voters at the next general election, two-thirds of the House and Senate would need to vote in favor of the resolution.
