LANSING – In an effort to help resolve Michigan's financial crisis, House Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford) today announced historic cuts to the state legislative budget to ensure that lawmakers share in the sacrifices residents are being asked to make in Michigan's tough economic times. The cuts include ending lifelong health care for lawmakers and cutting the House budget.
"If we're asking our residents to make sacrifices to turn our state's economy around, House Democrats believe we must start with our own House," Dillon said. "Michigan is facing a serious financial crisis that must be resolved. It's up to lawmakers and public servants to make tough decisions to tackle this challenge head-on."
The House Democratic plan will:
- End lifetime health care coverage for new State Representatives once they leave office. The plan also requires current lawmakers to pay more for health care coverage, ending the special treatment lawmakers get and ensuring they pay the same amount for health care that all other state employees pay.
- Increase monthly health care co-pays for State Representatives, their staff members and other legislative workers.
- Cut the budget for the House of Representatives by more than 5 percent.
- Ban the use of state funds for out-of-state travel for State Representatives.
- Cut positions within the House of Representatives to eliminate redundancies.
"Michigan is facing a historic budget crisis that threatens our economic development, education and health care services, and our ability to protect our natural resources," said House Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit). "While cuts alone won't solve the state's financial problems, it shows our residents that the Legislature won't sit on the sidelines while others are asked to make sacrifices."
"These are tough economic times and our working families are struggling to keep their heads above water," said State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga). "If our working families are making sacrifices, it is only right that Michigan's lawmakers make sacrifices, too. Michigan's economic crisis affects all Michigan citizens, from the bus driver to the auto worker to the state representative. We are in this together."