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| Lt. Gov Calley (photo by DarKen Photography) |
By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)
It looks like Lt. Governor Brian Calley's big announcement on May 30th will be related to turning Michigan's legislative branch into a part time legislature.
Rumors are swirling that Calley will play a significant role in a very well-funded ballot campaign that would put the issue to voters in the fall of 2018.
Calley previously announced his support for a part time legislature in 2014, appearing with then RNC Committeeman Dave Agema at an event in Holland to support the measure.
One of Michigan's top political pundits, Tim Skubick, says it's a brilliant move.
"Very smart political move, it's a populist issue, and he's trying to tap into the very anti government sentiment that Donald Trump so successfully tapped into when he ran for President," Skubick said. "Mr Calley, by going to the people and saying 'lets create a Part Time Legislature,' is basically saying, 'I'm different than everybody else, let me lead the parade and we can get this done together.'"
Calley also has a 2nd announcement scheduled for June 1st...
Petition language was recently submitted to the Board of Canvassers that would limit the legislature to 90 days each year, subsequently linking legislator's checks with teacher pay.
According to Jonathan Oosting of The Detroit News:
"A group called the Clean MI Committee recently submitted, but withdrew because of an apparent technical issue, a draft petition to the Board of State Canvassers for a potential ballot proposal to amend the Michigan Constitution by limiting the Legislature to 90 concurrent session days each year.
The draft proposal also could halve legislator salaries by tying their pay and benefits to the average compensation for a Michigan teacher, pro-rated based on the limited number of session days each year."
Stay tuned!
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| Calley signs a PTL petition with then RNC Committeeman Dave Agema in Holland in 2014 |
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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
If, and that's a big if depending on what is said later, this is solely about a Part-Time Legislature, this should be a slam-dunk to get on the ballot.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, if they add some "baggage" to the deal (i.e. term limits), this will be D.O.A.!
A cursory look at the Michigan Legislature's schedule, coupled with the fact that most elected officials are afraid to meet face-to-face with their constituents, should be all the proof that Michigan Voters need to pass a Part Time Legislature petition.