LANSING – In a letter sent Wednesday to legislative leaders, State Representative Dian Slavens
(D-Canton) and a bipartisan group of freshman lawmakers called on Lansing leadership to impart a new sense of
urgency in resolving Michigan's fiscal crisis. Slavens and her colleagues also renewed their call to dock
legislators' pay when they fail to pass the state budget on time.
"The fact that legislators failed yet again to do their job of passing the budget on time is an insult to Michigan's hard-working families," Slavens said. "I worked as a respiratory therapist for more than 20 years and I can tell you that if I hadn't done my job and treated patients, I wouldn't have gotten paid – and Lansing shouldn't be any different. By passing 'No Budget, No Pay,' we will hold lawmakers to the same standard that our residents live by each and every day."
Slavens and the bipartisan group of 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 will change 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.