Reform lawmakers' salaries, perks, disclosure for more accountability

The Detroit News is highlighting ideas from various groups to promote discussion on reform, restructuring government and the economy.

Reform lawmakers' salaries, perks, disclosure for more accountability

Idea 33: Reduce the benefits of state legislators, penalize them for budget delays, require a disclosure of their income and assets, and make them document their expense accounting spending online.

Why: There is no reason that our schools and communities should bear the burden of a budget crisis. Legislators should not protect their salaries, benefits and special perks while we cut education and public safety. Everyone in the state is making financial sacrifices, and politicians should be doing the same.

Benefit: With two government shutdowns in three years and more time spent canceling sessions and playing politics, the Legislature has not been upholding its end of the bargain. These reforms could make sure that lawmakers do the job they're paid to do, eliminate unnecessary perks, diminish the influence of special interests and guarantee that the state's budget is completed in a timely fashion.

How: Enact legislation to reduce lawmakers' salaries, prorate their pay anytime local school funding is prorated and end their taxpayer-funded lifetime health benefits. Additional reforms include a pay reduction every time lawmakers miss session and a requirement that candidates and elected officials disclose their income and assets, which would help ensure our leaders put people first, not special interests. Force lawmakers to provide documentation of what they use their expense accounts for and post that information online.

Obstacles: Changing the culture and mindset in Lansing so state legislators institute real reforms that will benefit the state at their own expense.

Source: State Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing