GOP Leader Bishop Responds to SEIU E-Board Member

Thank you for your correspondence. I appreciate your time in writing.

As you know, to account for Fiscal Year 2010-2011's budget shortfall, SCR 35 seeks to rescind the 3% pay increase scheduled to take effect October 1, 2010 for unionized state employees as authorized by the Michigan Civil Service Commission (MCSC).

You may be interested to know, within 60 calendar days of the transmission by the Governor, the legislature may reject or reduce the increased rates of compensation authorized by the commission by a two-thirds majority vote in each chamber.
On March 3, 2010, SCR 35 came before the Senate for a vote. However, the two-thirds majority, or 26 votes needed in the Senate in order to rescind the 3% pay increase for state employees, was not obtained. The Michigan Legislature has until April 11, 2010 to rescind the 3% pay increase for state employees.

With regard to your comments on the Senate 2010 Reforms Plan, the state of Michigan is currently facing an approximate $2 billion deficit. As a private company would be forced to do when facing a situation such as this, the state must reduce expenditures. Likewise, I must point out that it is the Michigan Legislature's Constitutional duty to balance the budget.

As mentioned in your email, the Senate has put forth a plan which seeks to create over $2 billion in savings to address our budget shortfalls. The plan includes a wage reduction of 5 percent for all public servants including all government, school and university employees, as well as elected officials. Further, all public employees will be required to pay 20 percent of their health care premiums.

As these matters seek to amend our constitution, upon passage, these questions would be placed before the people of Michigan in a special election or at the next General Election. Therefore, you, and all fellow Michigan voters, would have an opportunity to vote your opinion.

Additionally, as part of the Senate Reform Plan, my colleagues and I voted in favor of House Bill 4194 and Senate Bill 132 to require health care benefits for newly retired lawmakers and statewide elected officials to be eliminated. The estimated savings as a result of these measures as passed is $5 million.

I have been, and continue to be, a proponent of smaller, more efficient government. I have consistently been in support of lower salaries for legislators and did not vote in favor of the 2000 SOCC determination to increase legislators' salaries. Since becoming Senate Majority Leader I have reduced the Senate budget by nearly 20% and legislative officials and staff have also experienced furlough days, saving millions of taxpayer dollars. Further, I continue to support the move to a part time legislature and have introduced several measures which seek to make this a reality.

As the chair of the Senate Reforms and Restructuring Committee, I will be sure to keep your comments and suggestions in mind as the discussion regarding structural reforms continues.

Again, thank you for your time in writing and your active involvement in the legislative process. I encourage you to remain engaged in the reforms process and the FY 2011 budget discussions.

Sincerely,

Michael D. Bishop
Majority Leader
State Senator, 12th District