LANSING – State Representative Joan Bauer (D-Lansing) today joined House Democrats across the state in announcing historic cuts to the state legislative budget to ensure that lawmakers share in the sacrifices residents are being asked to make in Michigan's tough economic times. The cuts include ending lifelong health care for lawmakers and cutting the House budget.
"In these tough economic times, it's imperative that our lawmakers lead by example," Bauer said. "We're asking our residents to make sacrifices in order to help get our economy back on track, and it's only fair that our lawmakers make those same sacrifices."
The House Democratic plan will:
- End lifetime health care coverage for new State Representatives once they leave office. The plan also requires current lawmakers to pay more for health care coverage, ending the special treatment lawmakers get and ensuring they pay the same amount for health care that all other state employees pay.
- Increase monthly health care co-pays for State Representatives, their staff members and other legislative workers.
- Cut the budget for the House of Representatives by more than 5 percent.
- Ban the use of state funds for out-of-state travel for State Representatives.
- Cut positions within the House of Representatives to eliminate redundancies.
"Cuts aren't the only way to solve the problem, but they're a good place to start," Bauer said. "I won't stand idly by while our residents make all the sacrifices. By working together, we jumpstart our economy and get Michigan moving in the right direction."