Advocacy News – Oct. 5, 2022
Whether via your absentee ballot or in the voting booth on Tuesday, Nov. 8, voters from across the Great Lakes State have a golden opportunity to help improve how state government works for Michigan residents, communities and businesses: by voting YES on Proposal 1.
As Michigan Chamber President & CEO Jim Holcomb has said, “Proposal 1 represents the best chance to enhance public policy making and improve governmental efficiency, effectiveness and transparency.”
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. Most recently, the Chamber’s Board of Directors, comprised of member businesses of all sizes, types and industries from across Michigan’s region and 83 counties, voted to support the Voters for Transparency and Term Limits proposal – now officially Proposal 1.
“Michigan has one of the strictest term limits laws in the nation and some of the most lenient rules governing ethics and transparency,” said Wendy Block, VP of business advocacy and member engagement. “As the Detroit News recently pointed out in its endorsement editorial, ‘that’s a terrible combination.’ Voting YES on Proposal 1 is a smart, common-sense fix.”
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 2-year terms in the state House and two 4-year terms in the Michigan Senate, which if undertaken adds up to 14 years.
- Require financial disclosure the governor, lieutenant governor, Secretary of the State, and state lawmakers. This would put Michigan in line with 48 states and Congress as well as help improve transparency while avoiding conflicts of interest.
Make sure you’re informed by reading the entire proposal and to see how it will look on your ballot.
For a full list of diverse organizations supporting the proposal, visit here. For a full list of other MI Chamber 2022 election endorsements, visit here.
Contact Wendy Block with questions or for more information at wblock@michamber.com.