HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2001.02.22 - 26398Miscellaneous Resolution # 01048
BY: Commissioners Shelley G. Taub, Frank H. Millard, Jr., Sue Ann Douglas, Lawrence
A. Obrecht, William R. Patterson
RE: Board of Commissioners â Support Senate Joint Resolution D - Constitutional
Amendment Requiring State Lawmakers to Vote on Future Pay Increases
TO: Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS, the State Officers Compensation Commission recommended a
controversial 36% pay increase for legislators. These state legislators current salary of
$56981 will increase to $77,400 in 2001 and $79,650 in 2002; and
WHEREAS, in Michigan, legislators can only vote to reject recommendations of the
State Officers Compensation Commission, an action which requires a two-thirds vote by
both the House and the Senate; and
WHEREAS, although the Members of the House voted 100 to 6 to reject the pay
hike proposal, the State Senate's failure to take any action allowed their own 36% pay
increase to automatically be adopted; and
WHEREAS, recognizing that the present system for authorizing salary increases is
in dire need of reform, Senate Joint Resolution R was introduced that proposes an
amendment to the Article IV, Section 12 of the State Constitution; and
WHEREAS, Senate Joint Resolution R provides that salary and expense
determinations of the State Officers Compensation Commission would be effective only if
the Legislature approves them by a concurrent resolution that is adopted by a majority of
the members elected to and serving in each house of the legislature; and
WHEREAS, Senate Joint Resolution R further allows for an opportunity to either
amend or reduce the salary and expense recommendations â an option that is not
available under the present system; and
WHEREAS, Senate Joint Resolution R proposes that any approvals or
amendments to salaries would become effective for the legislative session immediately
following the next general election â a measure that enhances public accountability.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Oakland County Board of
Commissioners does hereby support the passage of Senate Joint Resolution R, providing
the taxpayers of Michigan with an opportunity to vote on this Constitutional Amendment
at the next general election; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT copies of this adopted resolution be forwarded
to the Governor, the Michigan State Legislature, the Michigan Association of Counties, the
Shelley G. Tau
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State Officers Compensation Commission and to the County's legislative lobbyists.
Mr. Chairperson, on behalf of the below-signed Commissioners and myself, I move
the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
Frank H. Millard, Jr. Sue Ann Douglas
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William R. Patterson
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Resolution #01048 February 22, 2001
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government
Comnittee. There were no objections.