The State of Michigan is having a budget crisis. They are spending a whole
lot more money than they are bringing in. It looks to us like this problem
will only get worse with our population dropping by our Michigan citizens
moving out of state to get jobs in the southern & western United States where
unemployment isn't 8 %. And with foreclosures in Michigan at an all time high,
the property taxes will get hit hard when the bargain prices on homes get
reflected in our property tax revenue. This perfect storm is already starting to
hit our city, county, and state governments. It looks like we will all be asked
to do more with less in Michigan government services in the future.
DID YOU KNOW??
In an article I read by the Capitol Confidential, the members of the Michigan
House and Senate are the second highest paid state legislators in the United
States, only behind California.
Base pay for a Michigan member - $79,650
Additional annual expense allowance - $12,000
Supplements paid to the following 12 legislative officers:
Speaker of the House - $ 27,000
Senate Majority Leader - $ 26,000
Minority Leaders in both House & Senate - $22,000
Majority floor leaders in both House & Senate - $12,000
Minority floor leaders in both House & Senate - $ 7,000
House speaker pro tempore & Senate president pro temore - $ 5,513
In more than 30 states, the position of state legislator is a part-time job
with a salary of $ 30,000 or less. Texas - the second most populous state
and second largest geographically---pays its lawmakers $ 7,200 per year.
Some pay much less - New Hampshire legislators are paid a salary of
$ 200 for a two year term of office. Alabama pays $ 10 per day and New Mexico
offer no salary at all---just expenses.
If you would like to check and see if your legislator is earning his salary,
this site gives the number of votes your legislator missed - Michiganvotes.org
We just checked on ours and one of them didn't have a great record.
MMmmmm... Elections next week.....time to vote on your legislative
employees performance.
Michigan Voters: Do your homework before you hit the polls next week.
Grand Rapids Ada Real Estate - Westbrook Realty
Copyright 2008 All rights reserved
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The authors of the this blog write about Grand Rapids Real Estate,
the Greater Grand Rapids MI area, and what it is like to live in
West Michigan. We believe: Grand Rapids is a Great Place to Live!
Westbrook Realty Grand Rapids MI Real Estate
Contact Terry 616-292-7263
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