LANSING – In an effort to help resolve Michigan's financial crisis, State Representative Richard LeBlanc (D-Westland) today announced historic cuts to the state legislative budget to ensure that lawmakers share in the sacrifices residents are being asked to make in Michigan's tough economic times. The cuts include ending lifelong health care for lawmakers and cutting the House budget.
"Our residents have been making sacrifices to make ends meet in these tough times as Michigan struggles to get back on track," LeBlanc said. "I want our residents in Westland to know that my colleagues in the House and I won't sit on the sidelines. We're working to turn Michigan around, and we're starting by cutting our own budget in the House."
The House Democratic plan will:
- End lifetime health care coverage for new State Representatives once they leave office. The plan also requires current lawmakers to pay more for health care coverage, ending the special treatment lawmakers get and ensuring they pay the same amount for health care that all other state employees pay.
- Increase monthly health care co-pays for State Representatives, their staff members and other legislative workers.
- Cut the budget for the House of Representatives by more than 5 percent.
- Ban the use of state funds for out-of-state travel for State Representatives.
- Cut positions within the House of Representatives to eliminate redundancies.
"Michigan is facing a serious budget crisis, and we all must do our part to find solutions," LeBlanc said. "Michigan's economic crisis affects all Michigan citizens, from the auto worker to the police officer to the state representative. We are all in this together."