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Monday, February 16, 2015

Gamrat Introduces Constitutional Amendment Targeting Executive Departments

Gamrat's Sunset Constitutional Amendment



































  By Brandon Hall     
(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)


State Rep. Cindy Gamrat has introduced a Constitutional amendment requiring a five year "sunset provision" on a number of facets in the Executive wing of State government. The sunsets would require approval of the legislature and not the Governor if her amendment passes. 

State Rep. Cindy Gamrat


Gamrat said of the bill:

"Last week I introduced for co-sponsorship a 5 year Sunset Bill that amends the Constitution to require a mandatory five year sunset to any new agency, act, executive order, or administrative rule promulgated by an executive department. Any newly created act, order, agency, or rule would only be effective for a maximum of five years after creation or promulgation, at which point it may be extended for additional periods of up to five years if both houses of the legislature approve by joint resolution. This joint resolution would not be subject to approval or veto by the governor. 

This amendment serves several purposes. It strengthens the supremacy of the legislative branch in law making and provides an important check on the rule making powers of executive branch entities. It forces legislatures to think very carefully about the long-reaching generational effects of public policy before instituting any new programs or statutes. Most importantly, it allows future legislatures to have honest and continued debate about the efficacy of laws and programs on a rolling basis. 

The current laws on the books for our state are physically immeasurable, and each has an impact on the liberties and freedoms of our states residents, business, and future generations. A sunset rule adopted into our constitution ensures good public policy remains forward-thinking and is open to reevaluation at regular periods. We are still experiencing the effects of policy decisions made during Michigan’s lost decade; had a sunset provision like this amendment been in Michigan’s constitution at the time, we would have been able to undo many of the troubling policy decisions that continue to frame our approach to governing this great state.
This bill will be available for co-sponsorship of the other legislators in the House on Tuesday and Wednesday. I encourage you to let your legislator know your thoughts about supporting this bill."

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics. >>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com 
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Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson

3 comments:

  1. I think her ideas are worth consideration.I think the law allowing for 40% of road money be diverted off to schools, and other special interests needs to be reviewed and changed. I understand that is part of the 1963 Constitution and if so that needs to be changed.

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  2. I think her ideas are worth consideration.I think the law allowing for 40% of road money be diverted off to schools, and other special interests needs to be reviewed and changed. I understand that is part of the 1963 Constitution and if so that needs to be changed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If a sunset provision would help terminate bad legislation and government programs, like the MEDC, we good. Placing a time certain on the life expectancy of laws of plunder would reduce the value of lobbyists to those who hire them. This and a part time governor and legislature would do Michigan a world of good.

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