Petitions should be available this week for those looking to reform Michigan’s government.
‘I think a lot of people have been sitting on the sideline anxious to see exactly what the petition language was going to be,? said Henry Woloson of Independence Township.
‘We’ve gotten a lot of interest, and now it’s up to the public as to whether or not (this goes through).?
The ballot proposal would limit the legislature to 100 session days, completed no later than May 31 each year, eliminate lifetime benefits for legislators, cut their pay by at least half, and eliminate term limits.?
Woloson joined many volunteers and Kalamazoo’s Chamber of Commerce in an effort to keep things moving. Kalamazoo was further along with their petition drive.
‘We had more manpower and they had a jump on the administration side, so it just made perfect sense to say ‘let’s combine and see if we can get this done,? said Woloson. ‘The only issue that we basically had to accept, is their proposal eliminates term limits and our proposal modified term limits because my concern with the term limits was that it would stir up more opposition than support.?
Woloson said he was confident the Board of Canvassers in Lansing would approve the petition’s wording because it was drafted by one of the three largest law firms in the state. It was approved Feb. 4.
Petitions will be available at Petition Distribution Sites around the state to save on postage.
‘By setting up the distribution centers, it’s almost like UPS sites,? he said. ‘Individuals can go to a local entity, pick up copies, return the copies, and it gives us a much better control on our cost.?
They hope to establish 400 sites with 400 district coordinators in almost every school district, he said.
‘Then you’ll never be farther than whatever the size of the school district is to be able to pick up a petition ,? he said. ‘If someone’s hot to get it signed, then we catch them when their motivated.?
They have about 1,000 volunteers so far. Woloson said he expects more help now that the petition is ready.
‘A lot of people are unhappy about the compensation,? he said. ‘A lot of people are unhappy about the partisanship, and a lot of people are unhappy about no deadlines, but are you unhappy enough to help us make a change??
For more information call Henry Woloson at 248-922-1354 or visit www.reformmichigangovernment.com.