With 8,000 petitions distributed throughout the state in three weeks, Reform Michigan is off and running.
‘It’s been well received,? said Henry Woloson, Independence Township resident.
A major state-wide business association should be endorsing the petition drive sometime this week, he said.
‘We currently cover 20- 22 counties with this petition distribution concept,? said Woloson. ‘We’re pretty confident that we will have 83 out of 83 counties, probably by the end of the month.?
Woloson said he will contact 100 labor unions over the next week as well, so the petition drive doesn’t look like a business-only effort.
Petition distribution sites save cost in postage, speeds up the process and demonstrates a ‘statewide operation,? he said.
‘When people go to the website and look it up and you start scrolling down. All of the sudden this is not some operation out of somebody’s garage. All of the sudden they’re seeing Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Hillsdale, Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, so suddenly it becomes what it is, which is a statewide operation whereby people are committed enough to basically be offering to serve at a distribution point,? he said.
Woloson said he is getting support for a part-time legislature from state government leaders both Democratic and Republican.
‘In a conversation on the phone with Governor Granholm’s spokeswoman Liz Boyd, she said ‘The governor supports the concept of part-time legislator with changes in term limits,?? said Woloson.
Dick Devos stated his support in a letter.
‘One solution I think we need to seriously consider is a part-time legislature, coupled with rally lobbying and ethical changes,? said Devos. ‘Now this is truly out-of-the-box, but making government focus on problems, solving them and going home to live with the results would stand in stark contrast to our current reality of decision, change, decision, change, that’s driving everyone crazy… and driving our jobs away too.?
Woloson said Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop has also gone on record to show his concept report.
‘I think it’s certainly positive for those people that are politically inclined, certainly positive when we have both sides of the aisle and for the same reason that’s why I am anxious to line up union support is so that we’re not just a business group of chambers of commerce or business association that this is also pro-worker,? said Woloson.
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.?
The pay cut would still leave them within 80 percent of the median household income, noted Woloson.
‘Currently, Michigan’s 148 state legislators earn a salary of $79,650 per year, plus an annual expense allowance of $12,000. With the pay cut, they would be making $39,000, plus expense allowance.
‘Our proposal is literally the first in the country that correlates compensation to performance,? he said. ‘The only way in the future that the legislatures can get a pay raise is if everybody in the state of Michigan benefits.?
Woloson said half of the volunteers he has talked with have never been politically active until now. They are unhappy with the current situation and are looking for a way to get involved.
‘If people get empowered and feel that they can in fact make a difference, then who knows. Maybe the next thing will be getting involved in the township, getting involved in the village, getting involved at the county level,? he said. ‘It all needs help, so getting involved is not a generic issue. It’s getting involved in a whole bunch of issues that all have impact on their financial life.?
For more information about the petition or petition distribution sites go to websites reformmichigangovernment.com or call Henry Woloson at 248-625-6736.