Some parties are manufacturing bogus objections to Reform Michigan Government Now!, the proposal to fix Michigan's broken government, streamline our courts and make government more accountable to the people.
Lacking a real case, people like Republican Party Chair Saul Anuzis are left to grasp at straws, attacking the initiative's legality and questioning whether this recipe for reform can be summarized in 100 words.
It can, and it has already been done -- easily.
As for the legalistic contortions that the special interests are engaging in, the fact remains that half a million Michigan citizens have signed petitions asking for reforms. Countless more support it and want the chance to vote on it in November.
These voters deserve the opportunity to do so.
They deserve the chance to exercise their right to decide whether to fix Michigan's broken government, hold our elected officials accountable and get the special interests' unfair influence out of government.
I'm not a lawyer, but it's clear we must let the voters decide -- not judges in Michigan who have a conflict of interest with a proposal that reorganizes the courts, reduces judges' salaries and benefits, and calls for much needed ethics reform.
Our proposal will hold government accountable by banning elected leaders and top government officials from lobbying for the special interests for two years after leaving office; reducing their excessive salaries and benefits to bring them in line with state employees, as well as the salaries and benefits of judges; and requiring legislators and the state's top elected officials to disclose their incomes and assets.
This important reform also makes positive changes so elections will be fairer and more competitive. Under this proposal, legislative districts will be redrawn by a nonpartisan panel, not the party in power, to make them truly competitive and without advantaging any one party in perpetuity. On any election year, the best candidate with the best message -- not the best gerrymandered seat -- will win.
This reform will also protect minority representation in full compliance with the Voting Rights Act. In fact, the number of predominantly minority districts will remain the same under the reform proposal as it is now.
Naturally, the special interests and the extreme partisans want to keep Michigan's government broken and protect the status quo -- a status quo that has harmed citizens, local businesses and the entire state.
Reform Michigan Government Now! is a recipe for positive change. It espouses ideas that have been around for years. Leaders from both parties have called for them and publicly supported many elements of these reforms.
Now that the reforms are one step away from going on the ballot, voters should be allowed to decide on them without interference from special interests, political ideologues and conflicted judges.
Reform Michigan Government Now! can give us a smaller, more efficient, less wasteful, less partisan and more responsive government. That's why I urge all citizens interested in good government to support this important proposal and help bring about positive change.
About the author: Harland Nye is treasurer of Reform Michigan Government Now!
About the forum: The forum is a periodic column of opinion written by Record-Eagle readers in their areas of interest or expertise. Submissions of 500 words or less may be made by e-mailing letters@record-eagle.com. Please include biographical information and a photo.
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