LANSING – State Representative Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown) today voted for a plan that will bring much-needed reforms to state government and hold legislators accountable. The plan now heads to the Senate.
"It is important that the residents of Michigan have a government they can trust and depend on," Kennedy said. "We need to prove that our government is working in the best interests of our residents and this plan that passed the House today does that. Transparency is key to any successful government and it will be critical to getting our economy back on track."
The Michigan House today passed three measures that will:
- Prohibit legislators from becoming lobbyists for two years after leaving office, effectively ending the revolving door between lawmakers and lobbying firms.
- Dock lawmakers' pay each time they miss a day of session with an unexcused absence.
- Require certain state officials and candidates for elected office to disclose their personal finances to the Bureau of Elections.
The measures are part of an ongoing effort by the Michigan House to bring much-needed reform to state government. In February, the House passed a plan to cut the salaries of lawmakers and other elected officials by 10 percent. That legislation is awaiting action in the Senate.
"The plan that passed the House is a common-sense solution that should have become law a long time ago," Kennedy said. "I applaud my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for passing these much-needed reforms and I urge those in the State Senate to quickly move on this important plan that will restore integrity to the Legislature and all of state government."