Michigan Democrats Fight to Cut Cost Of Gov't

GOP will fight against smaller government

LANSING -- A sweeping revision of the Michigan Constitution that would cut state politicians' pay and benefits where it doesn't eliminate their jobs altogether came out of nowhere in recent weeks and appears to have a realistic chance of making the ballot in November.

Its provisions include:

• A 25% pay cut for the governor and lawmakers. (The governor currently makes $177,000 and legislators make $79,650.)

• A 15% pay cut for judges. (Supreme Court justices make $164,610.)

• A reduction from 38 to 28 state senators and from 110 to 82 state representatives.

Detroit Free Press