South Michigan News

Senator Roger Victory has announced his support for a proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution that would stop pay for lawmakers and the governor if the state budget is not finished by July 1. The amendment, Senate Joint Resolution E, requires both the Legislature and the governor to ensure all general budget bills are passed and signed by this deadline.

Victory, a Republican from Hudsonville, stated, “Every worker in America must do their job to continue getting paid. Government should be no different. If lawmakers and the governor want to keep receiving their taxpayer-funded salaries, they need to show up to work, get the job done, and do so on time.”

If either branch does not meet the deadline set in the resolution, both the governor and all sitting lawmakers would lose their salaries until an agreement is reached.

A similar proposal was brought before the Michigan House of Representatives last month and received support from 70 members.

Victory said, “Schools and families shouldn’t be left wondering what their funding will look like when the year has already begun, and programs that people rely on shouldn’t be held in limbo. A budget takes careful consideration, and getting our finances in order should be a top priority.

“We have a job to do, and it’s time we get it done.”