The Michigan House of Representatives today passed a plan co-sponsored by State Representative Roy Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids) to slash lawmakers' pay by 10 percent, part of his commitment to cut state spending and reform Michigan's government.
"Our residents have been stretching their dollars and tightening their belts for a long time," Schmidt said. "Elected officials need to lead by example and reduce the burden on our taxpayers. By taking a pay cut, and eventually eliminating expensive perks like free lifetime health care for lawmakers, we can make sure the Legislature is focused on important issues like creating good-paying jobs and revitalizing our economy."
The House adopted the resolution calling on the State Officers Compensation Commission (SOCC), the body in charge of determining legislator salaries, to decrease lawmakers' salaries by 10 percent. Of the nine states that have full-time Legislatures, Michigan lawmakers are the second-highest paid at $79,650 a year, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
The legislation also will cut the salaries of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General and the Secretary of State by 10 percent. The total cuts will save the state at least $1.2 million a year.