PART-TIME MI: Legislative Meddling

The Detroit News has an excellent article on the legislature meddling into the affairs of a private charitable foundation and it wraps with a great conclusion:

Once again, Michigan's lawmakers have proved they have too much time on their hands. Their constant forays into areas that are none of their concern continue to make the case for a part-time legislature.

The less time they're sitting in Lansing, the less damage they can do

PART-TIME MI: Detroit News

The Detroit News printed an editorial today on trading term limits for a part-time legislature. They've got the right idea in supporting a part-time legislature, of course, but there should not be any reason to trade term limits for it. Term limits ensure new faces every few years and fresh ideas with those new faces, so let's not trade away something useful just to convince a few extra people to support a part-time legislature - according to the polls, we've already got all the support we need once we get the issue on the ballot.

Some of the key points from the article:

Michigan is just one of 11 states with full-time lawmakers. Some big states, including Texas, Indiana and Minnesota, get by with legislators meeting just a few months a year.

A part-time body would accomplish term limits' goal of a citizen legislature, but would allow lawmakers to gain experience.

It would save money, focus legislators on essential business and force voters to pay more attention to who they elect.