95th Session of Michigan Legislature Convenes. House Speaker Andy Dillon opened the 2009-10 session of the Michigan Legislature on Wednesday by calling on lawmakers to act swiftly and smartly to help ease the state's economic pain.
The Democrat from Wayne County's Redford Township said lawmakers should share in the sacrifice by cutting their own pay and benefits. He discussed a potential, still largely undefined ballot measure that might offer property tax relief and legislation aimed at creating a statewide catastrophic health care plan.
Dillon choked up while telling lawmakers about how family friends were forced to move away last year because of a job loss and home foreclosure. The relocation moved the best friend of Dillon's middle school-aged son out of the neighborhood, although the family remains in southeast Michigan.
Michigan's unemployment rate has been highest in the nation for most of the past three years, with more than 100,000 losing their jobs in the past year alone.
"These are not just words in a speech," Dillon told lawmakers. "These are my neighbors in Redford, yours in Jackson, Saginaw, Grand Rapids, Warren, Alpena and Marquette. ... We can't fix all these problems, but shame on us if we don't do what we can."
There are 46 new members in the House. The 110-seat chamber is led by Democrats who padded their advantage in last November's election and now hold a 67-43 edge over Republicans.
Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer of Kewadin is the new House Republican leader. He immediately struck a bipartisan, cooperative tone by seconding Dillon's nomination to a second term as House speaker. Dillon was re-elected unanimously, although he skipped the vote in accord with House tradition.
Elsenheimer said it's already clear that he and Dillon agree more than they disagree. Elsenheimer said the start of the 95th Legislature could be looked back upon as an important day in Michigan's economic history if lawmakers can come together to help the state.
"Let it be said on this day, in this chamber, Michigan's recovery began," Elsenheimer said.
Republicans hold a 21-16 in the 38-seat Senate, which has one vacant seat. The Senate also opened its new session Wednesday.
Republicans are led by Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop of Rochester, who quickly introduced a constitutional amendment that would create a part-time Legislature and repeal term limits for legislators first serving in 2011 or later. The idea was considered last session but didn't get far.
Democrats are led by Michael Prusi of Ishpeming, who takes over for Mark Schauer of Battle Creek as the minority party leader.
Schauer was elected to Congress and a special election to replace him has not yet been scheduled.
Lawmakers will be dealing with state budget problems that could lead to more than a $1 billion revenue shortfall in the fiscal year that starts Oct. 1. Dillon, urging the Legislature to move faster than usual, wants a new budget wrapped up by this summer. Gov. Jennifer Granholm will get the process started with budget recommendations next month.
Lawmakers took some votes to cut their pay and end lifetime health benefits in the last session, but the plan was never finalized and left some with the impression it was just a political ploy.
Dillon first discussed the possible tax-related ballot proposal last year. It still must be negotiated with the Senate and Granholm before the plan to change the state constitution could go to voters.
Dillon said he is hesitant to discuss specifics of his idea pending those negotiations. But it likely would include some property tax relief and an elimination of a surcharge on Michigan's main business tax. It's not clear how the proposal would be crafted to replace the tax money lost through those changes.
Whatever steps are taken should be taken quickly, Dillon said.
"We cannot accept the attitude I have witnessed during my tenure that things will get done according to government's timeline," Dillon said. "While we delay, jobs are being lost. Too many kids spend another year in failing schools, foster children go unsupervised and homes are foreclosed."
For the full article, see Tim Martin, "Michigan's new Legislature meets for first time", MLive, January 14 2009. [Red Tape Blog]
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