Advocacy News – Aug. 24, 2022
It’s official. Reforms to Michigan’s term limits will be Proposal 1 on this year’s Nov. 8 general election ballot after the Michigan Board of State Canvassers approved ballot language this past Friday.
The Voters for Transparency and Term Limits Proposal is supported by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce after a vote earlier this year from your Chamber Board of Directors comprised of member businesses of all sizes, types and industries from across the state.
First adopted in 1992, Michigan’s term limits are considered the most restrictive in the nation.
The Michigan Chamber has studied term limits since the passage by voters 30 years ago and has a been a long-time proponent of sensible reform.
As MI Chamber President & CEO Jim Holcomb has said, “This proposal represents the best chance to enhance public policy making and improve governmental efficiency, effectiveness and transparency.”
Key Proposal 1 components include:
- Revise and improve term limits. Amend Michigan’s law to allow a member of the Michigan House or Senate to serve a maximum of 12 years in either chamber or combination of both, while keeping the lifetime limit. Currently, lawmakers can serve three full terms in the state House and two full terms in the Michigan Senate, which often adds up to 14 years.
- Require financial disclosure of state lawmakers, the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and Secretary of the State. This would put Michigan in line with 48 states and Congress as well as help improve transparency while avoiding conflicts of interest.
Many organizations statewide also support the proposal including AFT Michigan, Business Leaders for Michigan, the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, Michigan Education Association, Michigan United, SEIU Michigan, the Small Business Association of Michigan and the West Michigan Policy Forum — to name a few.
Read the entire proposal for more information.
For questions or more information, please contact Wendy Block at wblock@michamber.com or Leah Robinson at lrobinson@michamber.com.