LANSING – State Representative Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing) today announced a package of government reforms that will close the revolving door between lobbying groups and lawmakers, force elected officials to disclose their finances and dock lawmakers' pay for each day of session they miss. Meadows also called on the Republican-controlled Senate to pass 10 percent salary cuts for lawmakers, a measure passed by the House two weeks ago.
"These reforms are long overdue," Meadows said. "The people are demanding that we change the way state government operates. This plan will make sure that when a lawmaker steps into the Capitol and votes, they are doing what's best for the people they represent, not the special interests."
The government reform plan introduced today will:
- End the revolving door between lawmakers and lobbying firms by prohibiting legislators from becoming lobbyists for two years after leaving office.
- Increase financial disclosure requirements to require candidates for elected office and state officials to submit personal financial statements and reports to the Bureau of Elections.
- Dock lawmakers' pay each time that they miss a day of House session.
A plan to increase financial disclosure by requiring Legislators to make their earnings public by placing their sources of income online also was introduced. Michigan is one of only three states that do not require financial disclosure from its elected officials.
"Transparency is the key to a well-functioning state government," Meadows said. "It's no secret that Michigan is facing some pretty tough times right now and we will be making some pretty tough decisions to pull the state out of its economic demise. Our residents need confidence that their lawmakers are working for the people, not themselves. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this plan so we can focus on getting our residents back to work and our children the access to the good education that they deserve.