Michigan should return to having a part-time legislature

To the Editor,Momentum is building throughout the state of Michigan to place on the November ballot the proposal to return Michigan to a part-time legislature.Before 1963 Michigan operated with a part-time legislature, but because of the racial riots, strikes by unions, depressed economy, and other social unrest, the proposed solution was to establish a full-time legislature that would regulate the circumstances causing the turmoil. History proves that this approach did not accomplish its intended purpose. Look what has happened to Michigan’s major cities, schools, manufacturing and businesses. All of them have declined; and to make matters worse, a full-time legislature has actually diluted broad citizen involvement in framing and implementing responses to the challenges facing our State. It is time to restore to Michigan a citizen-driven legislature that is focused on what is best for the State and not for the legislators’ own political and financial advancements.This amendment would:1) Impose a $35,000 ceiling on compensation for legislators beginning in 2017.2) Require the State to post on the internet all compensations and reimbursements paid to legislators.3) Limit the Legislature to one 60-day regular session per calendar year.4) Require any bill to be posted on the internet for at least 5 days before the Legislature can adopt it.5) Require that the Legislature provide by law for its operation and organization both in and out of session.6) Limit the Legislature to no more than a 250-person staff for assisting legislators.For this proposal to be placed on the November ballot, 400,000 signatures need to be collected by the end of June. I would encourage the citizens of our state to go to parttimemi.com to become better informed on this issue and to be prepared to sign the petition, as proponents are now canvassing throughout the State.If you would like to help with this initiative, please go to parttimemi.com and click on your county to find the local coordinator.We all desire a freer, more prosperous and vibrant State. I believe this can be accomplished with a part-time legislature in Michigan.Larry KeckSand Creek