State Rep. Jamie Thompson has voiced disappointment after House Democrats did not join Republicans in supporting a measure aimed at increasing accountability in the Michigan state government regarding the budget process.
Thompson introduced House Joint Resolution M, which proposes a constitutional amendment that would suspend pay for state legislators and the governor if the state’s annual budget is not completed by July 1. The resolution failed to advance because it did not receive the two-thirds vote required for constitutional amendments.
“Unfortunately, we have seen an irresponsible, reckless budget plan in the Senate that relies on taxpayers to foot the bill for more unsustainable spending increases and doesn’t address people’s most pressing needs like local roads and public safety,” said Thompson, who represents Brownstown. “If pay was on the line for elected officials, there sure as heck would be more urgency. People would be seeing that cutoff date. Deals would be happening, and I have a great deal of confidence that the Legislature would fulfill its responsibility to get a balanced budget done so people could have clarity.”
According to Thompson, while Michigan law sets a deadline for passing and presenting budget bills to the governor by July 1, there are currently no penalties if lawmakers miss this deadline. She pointed out comments from Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony indicating that Senate Democrats were willing to pass over the deadline and delay action on a K-12 budget plan passed by the House in June. That plan included record per-pupil funding and gave school districts more flexibility in how they spend funds.
“A number of Democrats voted today to still have financial certainty within their own positions while many families, students, school officials, corrections staff and law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe don’t have certainty,” Thompson said. “Ultimately, people are done with the games. They want to see responsible governing and plans that use their tax dollars wisely. If legislators can’t get that done by the July 1 date laid out in law, people’s tax dollars shouldn’t be going to legislators.”
