MICHIGAN PART-TIME LEGISLATURE LONG OVERDUE

The compensation ceiling for part-time legislators should be set no higher than $10,000 including expenses. It might be worth-while to look at New Hampshire's legislative compensation program. Personally, I favor a generous limit of $1,000 for a maximum 90-day, part-time endeavor with no allowance for additional days. Additional expenses for mileage are fine. No retirement benefits of any kind, whatsoever. Unicameral legislature is a must. Legislature may not approve additional benefits for its members or staff.


The following excerpt from New Hampshire statute is instructive:


[Art.] 15. [Compensation of the Legislature.] The presiding officers of both houses of the legislature, shall severally receive out of the state treasury as compensation in full for their services for the term elected the sum of $250, and all other members thereof, seasonably attending and not departing without license, the sum of $200 and each member shall receive mileage for actual daily attendance on legislative days, but not after the legislature shall have been in session for 45 legislative days or after the first day of July following the annual assembly of the legislature, whichever occurs first; provided, however, that, when a special session shall be called by the governor or by a 2/3 vote of the then qualified members of each branch of the general court, such officers and members shall receive for attendance an additional compensation of $3 per day for a period not exceeding 15 days and the usual mileage. Nothing herein shall prevent the payment of additional mileage to members attending committee meetings or on other legislative business on nonlegislative days.

June 2, 1784Amended 1792 requiring state to pay wages instead of town.Amended 1889 setting salary for members at $200 and for officers at $250 with $3 per day for special sessions.Amended 1960 limiting mileage to 90 legislative days.Amended 1984 limiting mileage to 45 legislative days in each annual session.